Crossword Genius

Australian bird the French boy copied (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

emulated

'copied' is the definition.
('emulate' can be a synonym of 'copy')

'australian bird the french boy' is the wordplay.
'australian bird' becomes 'emu' (I've seen this before).
'the french' becomes 'la'.
'boy' becomes 'ted' (I've seen this before**).
'emu'+'la'+'ted'='EMULATED'

(Other definitions for emulated that I've seen before include "Rivalled" , "Tried hard to be as good as someone" , "Imitated" , "Male duet strove to equal" , "Tried to equal or copy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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