Australia 7s vs France 7s

France scored inside the opening 25 seconds. Grégoire Arfeuil burst through a missed tackle on the edge and showed strength and determination to ground the ball. Rayan Rebbadj added the extras for a 7-0 lead before many in the crowd had settled into their seats.

Arfeuil struck again two minutes later. France recycled quickly, Antoine Zeghdar did the damage through the middle, and the ball found its way wide where Arfeuil touched down for his second try of the quarter. The conversion was missed, leaving France 12-0 up inside three minutes.

Australia, with James Turner back in the lineup after serving a suspension from the Valladolid event the previous week, attempted to respond. Turner showed strength on his first touch but was bundled into touch. France's defence held firm.

The home side's third try arrived in the 9th minute. A looping pass that appeared marginally forward was let go by referee Morgan White, and France capitalised — the ball finding its way through the middle for Célian Pouzelgues to score. Rebbadj converted from out wide, stretching the lead to 19-0.

Ali Dabo added a fourth try in the 10th minute after patient phase play. France went wide four times before Dabo found space, ducking under the defence to touch down. He converted his own try in the 11th minute to complete the 26-0 scoreline.

Arfeuil's second-minute double strike. Australia had won four of the previous six meetings between these sides this season, but by the third minute they were chasing a 12-point deficit. France's physical edge — described by commentators as a "bigger side than Australia" — became immediately apparent, and the hosts never let Australia into the contest.

Grégoire Arfeuil — Two tries in the opening three minutes set the tone. His first, a powerful edge carry that beat multiple defenders inside 25 seconds, was the statement France needed.

Célian Pouzelgues — Scored the third try and was a constant threat. He would later be named Player of the Final after scoring the decisive try in France's 14-5 win over New Zealand the following day.

Ali Dabo — Scored the fourth try and added the conversion, contributing 12 points in total.

Lagwoa Alafua — The 21-year-old impressed with his physicality on the edge, creating the first try and causing problems throughout.

France's 26-0 victory reflected total dominance. They made six clean breaks to Australia's one, gained 379 metres with ball in hand (Australia managed 205), and completed seven offloads — tied for the second-most of any team in the tournament. France won 53% of possession and converted three of their four tries.

Australia, by contrast, managed just one clean break, missed 11 tackles, and failed to register a point. Their 47% possession yielded zero points, a reflection of France's defensive organisation and the physical mismatch on the day.

France led 19-0 at halftime, and the second half was largely a damage-limitation exercise for Australia.

The victory confirmed France's place in the semi-finals of the HSBC SVNS Bordeaux — the final event of the 2026 season. They went on to beat South Africa 21-12 in the semi-final and New Zealand 14-5 in the final, claiming the home tournament crown.

The result was also significant for the broader series standings. France had been at risk of relegation from the main HSBC SVNS Series after a pool-phase defeat to New Zealand on day one. The quarter-final win ensured they would remain on the main tour for the 2027 season.

South Africa, who lost to France in the semi-finals, had already secured the overall HSBC SVNS World Championship title with 37 wins and five tournament victories across the season.

A ruthless, physical performance from France that crushed Australia's hopes in a one-sided quarter-final. Four first-half tries, zero response from Australia, and a home crowd roaring every carry. France didn't just win — they sent a message that carried all the way to the trophy lift the next day.