Should have started.7PeterDe VilliersReplaced Soulette but struggled just as much against the powerful Australian forwards.6StephaneGlasCame on for Dourthe and also failed to break down the Australian defence.6AlbertCostesTook over Lievremont’s damage limitation role by tackling everything in yellow. Had a quiet game, though, and gave too much room around the scrum. Also failed to close down Oz backs quickly enough.6OlivierMagneRan and tackled his socks off for 80 minutes. Made presence felt in rucks and mauls but spent too long defending to have an impact.7MarcLievremontDifficult to fault his enthusiasm and determination. Can go home proud.8FabienPelousHe was the main target at the line-out in the first half, before moving to eight in the second.

Poor showing.6AbdelBenazziPlayed with his customary gusto and pride on this possibly his final appearance for the Tricolores Was one of the only French forwards to make any impact. Replaced early in the second half.6RaphaelIbanezThe French captain did his best to calm his forwards by throwing accurately at the line-out. His discipline let him down, though, as he was guilty of giving away silly penalties.7FranckTournaireHe tackled his heart out and tried to get involved in the rare French forward forays, but he never got the measure of Harry and commited numerous fouls. Penalty kicking was accurate but not enough to win.7FabienGalthieHis passing and all-round directional play from the base of the scrum was good, but he suffered from a lack of cover from his forwards and, as a result, rushed too many of his passes.7CedricSouletteDid well early on in the battle of the front rows, but was too indisciplined, often being caught attempting to play the ball from the ground.

Never a centre, he knocked on in the early stages when the overlap was available and never made serious inroads into the Australian defence Looks a spent force.6ChristopheDominiciVeni Vidi Dominici. He came, he saw, he dominated early exchanges on the left wing. Too often isolated the rest of the match, though, he was unable to repeat his semi-final show.7ChristopheLamaisonTry as he did to get his backs going, he was brilliantly marshalled by the Australian defence and unable to find any space. Spent much of the second period defending – a task which he performed well as he averted a certain try.7RichardDourtheHad a quiet game and was not capable of exploiting any gaps in the tiring Australian rearguard. Never in the game, he was eventually replaced after being hit in the face by the ball.6EmileNtamackPatchy. Made no mistakes dealing with the many high balls that were kicked down his throat. Equally adept at carrying the ball forward, he was a constant danger.

Superb.9JasonLittleReplaced Herbert on 46 minutes and was immediately at ease alongside his old companion in crime, Horan.8OwenFineganCame on for the tiring Cockbain and added more attacking impetus to the Wallaby pack. Late try had shades of Lomu.8MarcConnorsPlayed the final 10 minutes in place of Wilson. Did well enough defensively but never threatened.7JeremyPaulSent on for the dying seconds as a replacement for Foley, he did at least take charge of one line-out throw-in.ChrisWhitakerWas only put on for the last few seconds to get a taste of the victory. Ran on well enough.FRANCEXavierGarbajosaCemented his position as one of the genuine surprises of the World Cup. Defensively, he read the game very well, while his kicking out of defence repeatedly relieved his forwards.7PhilippeBernat-SallesJinking runs in the first half caused the Australian defence problems. Started to impose himself more at the line-out thereafter and called tactics well.7MattCockbainTackled bravely around the fringes but never lent any weight to the limited Australian attacks in the first half Played well enough and jumped high at line-out.

Replaced by Finegan.7DavidWilsonKept continuous pressure on Galthie and Lamaison. Stuck to his defensive duties doggedly in the first half and then ploughed forward as the French defence weakened late on.8ToutaiKefuExcellent display. The captain was yellow carded in the opening 20 minutes for throwing a punch. Protected his captain admirably and defended well throughout.7JohnEalesNot his best display. A deceptively quick prop, he punched many holes through the French defence.8DavidGiffinWon good line-out ball and made a couple of telling breaks in the loose towards the end of the first half. Not yet the new Phil Kearns.7AndrewBladesFailed to impose himself in the early stages, but became more effective as the match wore on. Clever as ever, he ran the show in the second half.9RichardHarryHelped to anchor the scrum when the Australian forwards were under early pressure, he had one of his very best games for the Wallabies and got the better of Tournaire.8MichaelFoleyThrew well enough at the line-out and was always a willing option in the loose, but he was too often guilty of giving away needless penalties.