What a change it is to finally get excited about an early season Wallabies test match!
The French team have proved on successive weekends against the AB’s what an uncompromising unit they are, being unlucky not to beat the AB’s twice instead of once.
Marc Lievremont has made seven changes to the team which clearly enjoyed themselves after the second test in Nu Zulund. Sadly however, two of the most influential French forwards, Louis Picomoles and the Caveman, have had to be replaced through injury. In a somewhat strange move, the halves combination has also been replaced in an effort to help freshen up the team.
As this will be the French team’s last game for their season, the fatigue factor will be a major hurdle for them to overcome. There will no doubt some sore bodies after the brutal games against the AB’s and an arduous domestic season. It will be clear from the opening minutes whether this hurdle has been cleared.
If the French are able to get into the game, they will pose a major threat to the Wallabies who are yet to be fully tested after three fairly easy romps in as many weeks. One aspect of the Wallaby games that has not been plain sailing has been that of the breakdown.
Despite the Wallabies dominance of the Italians, it was the Italian’s ability to stifle the Wallabies at the tackle area which would be of concern. Watching the French in recent weeks, this is an area of the game that they target also, but the difference is they have the troops to not only stifle the Wallabies, but to dominate them.
Should the Frogs get the better of the Wallabies and a steady supply of quick ball, the French backs have shown they are no mugs and look comfortable throwing the ball around – even in the shitty New Zealand weather. If they can get the ball in any sort of space to Cedric Heymans, look out!!!
The Wallabies look a bit underdone in the back-row with Dick Brown and Mummy not really providing the impact that would have been expected. With the return of Cliffy Palu and Rocky on the horizon, the performance of both will be vital not only to the chances winning of this game, but also each player’s longer term selection hopes.
So far this year the Wallaby backs have looked great turning opportunities into tries on a regular basis. With an excellent kicking game they have been able to get themselves into attacking positions and heap pressure on the opposition. It will be interesting to see if they can produce the same sort of form under the greater defensive effort the French should provide.
In last week’s test, the French backs struggled to contain the direct running of Na’a Nonu so obviously Morty will once again be the focus of the Wallaby attack. This year Mortlock has been used more as a decoy than target in attack which has allowed for plenty of holes in mid-field for others to run through. I think Mortlock will get plenty of pill in this test and challenge the French’s new centre pairing.
It is hard to see the Wallabies losing this test as they have spent the best part of a month preparing for it. They have also had the luxury of resting key players last week, and have been able to pick from a squad that is all fighting fit. The French on the other hand are headed home. They have picked a side that has been dictated by injury to some extent, but also has the look of ‘rotation’ written all over it.
The Frogs will probably give a decent account of themselves in the first half, but if a few things go against them, more than likely break out the Burgundy and Camembert at half time and allow the fresher Wallabies to go on with the job in the second half.
Cote says – Wallabies by 12
Tags: fight
I think theres a possibility the wallabies have done too much tinkering, you dont find the fault of a car by changing all the parts. You test each one to pin it down.
We’ll see if the preps worked in the first 20mins, but i expect australia to be behind the 8 at that stage getting the win in the end though.
I am very interested as you’ve pointed out John with Mumm and Brown, in my opinion they’re v.lucky to be there. Brown had a great season last year and i’m heaps disspointed he’s looked lame in 8 this season.
TPN for 8, with Palu on the mend, then TPN covering both spots on the bench (2 & 8). I’m deadset on that idea. He has the kefu funky grunt, as does palu.
Elsom will always be our starting 6 now when fit as Australia has done stuff all trying to replace him since he’s been out. Hoiles was the GAGR pick last year and never got the chance, been behind bigger locks like Mumm and Kimlin and even smaller hypocritical selections like Hodgeson. But those players have never had the impact in super 14 level that Hoiles and Elsom have had.
I’m looking forward to this French test for pretty much the same reasons as everyone else is. They came within a whisker of taking two tests off the ABs and if they maintain that enthusiasm tomorrow they will defeat the Wallabies narrowly.
Both Mumm and Brown don’t bring enough continuous jolt to their game for backrow forwards and that is a critical issue for the Wallabies tomorrow night. On the other hand Brown seems to have got the message and is wanting to go up several notches himself. I hope he does.
Having said all that, I don’t think the French will bring the same game on to the paddock against the Wallabies as they did twice in NZ. So I’m picking an ugly win for the Wallabies against them. I’d be delighted if I was wrong and they produced a really emphatic win and maybe that’s a possibility.
Frankly I’m still waiting to see the Robbie Deans magic come frothing out of the bottle. Yes there are signs that he’s turned a lot of things around. But the full menu has’t quite been sighted yet.
We’ll see.
Brown Can Hear Elsom’s and Palu’s Footsteps Behind Him
I think it will be tight with fifteen to go and then fatigue will set in and the wallabies will break it open to win comfortably.
This game is just a stop on their way home, that alone should get us over the line.
There’s an interesting thread in the forum at the moment looking at what the squad would look like without all the injuries.
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/forum/index.php/topic,9161.0.html
More of an impact then I’d thought
I think deans rested some players just for this test, so they would have the ultimate advantage with regards to fatigue.
The first three “tests” were gimmees, this is our first real chance to measure up against a proper team. I would have thought France would be even morebruised than it’s turned out, before the first match I think everyone was hoping/expecting the traditionally poor traveling frogs to get a hiding. But they, like Italy perhaps, have exceeded expectations.
I think the Wallabies superior preparation and overall class will prevail. The only concern for the wallabies is the back row, it’s hard to imagine a team missing Palu and Elsom to look as dominant but it’s time for Smith to assert himself or someone else to put there hand up. You just can’t imagine a team with those two guys back requiring all the blind side/lock hybrids, so there’s your incentive.
Wallabies by 20.