Paris: The Wallabies have promised to come out all guns blazing against a French side who have described their Australian opponents as “fighters” and “tough like cowboys” ahead of the first Test between the sides in Paris in six years.
After squeezing past Scotland by a solitary point in Edinburgh, the Wallabies know they will need more than luck in their second spring tour match to prevail over a France outfit boasting 10 straight Test wins, a national record.
A glance over both starting XVs indicates Australia would do well to win any match on paper, with France halves Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack widely regarded as the best No.9 and 10 combination in world rugby at the moment.
Even France’s world No.2 ranking has been questioned by Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, who says Fabien Galthie’s men are undoubtedly the most dangerous international side.
“France is the best in the world, regardless of what the rankings say,” Rennie said. “They’ve been unbeaten for about 15 months. They’ve beaten Ireland who are ranked No.1. We’re well aware of the challenge and we’re looking forward to it.”
In a sign of just how much France has improved, the Wallabies rested a number of their best players for the 2016 match at the Stade de France.
France celebrate their Six Nations triumph earlier this year.Credit:AP
The Wallabies got home 25-23 that evening, thanks in part to a late unsuccessful drop goal attempt from Camille Lopez.
This time, Rennie has picked a near full-strength side and insists Australia won’t be overawed at the venue of next year’s Rugby World Cup final.
This match might be the best gauge of whether Australia has any chance of taking part on October 28 next year.
“We’re going to come up there and play with no fear,” Rennie said. “We’re certainly going to go out there and give it a crack … and throw everything at it. To beat France in Paris we’ll need to have a massive 80 minutes. We’re well aware of that and we’ve picked a side that have got some good quality coming off the bench because we know that’ll be important.
Dave Rennie casts his eye over Wallabies training in France this week. Credit:Andrew Phan/Wallabies Media
“They have a massive pack and unbelievable athletes. They have really good generals at No.9 and 10 and a big midfield. They’re the complete side at the moment.
“You’ve got 28 professional sides up here, so there is a hell of a lot of quality players to pick from.
As Wallabies players boarded a train on Thursday afternoon from Saint-Etienne to Paris, Galthie produced compliment after compliment for an Australian side who secured a 2-1 series win last over France last July, albeit against a visiting B-team.
Galthie pointed to France’s average record against Australia — 11 losses from 14 Tests since 2008 — as evidence the home side had a massive battle on their hands to nullify Australia’s fighting spirit, even as major underdogs.
“We know the Australians well. They’re fighters, tough like cowboys, and have players that come from southern lands that have a decent culture,” Galthie said.
“They are two-time world champions, they have a culture and a quality of rugby players that are inventive and creative and solid. They can be behind by 20 points and then they’re capable of turning the situation around.”
It’s a big game too for Wallabies No.10 Bernard Foley after a patchy performance in Edinburgh.
“I definitely don’t believe I have solidified [my spot] or shot the lights out,” Foley said ahead of his fourth consecutive match in the No.10 jersey.
“We know it’s going to be very loud and a hostile environment and we’ve got to embrace the atmosphere and the whole spectacle.
“Doing the basics well is the biggest one against this French side that have so much power and flair and attacking prowess.”
