Test Match: Big Test for Australia

27.06.2009
France v Australia in Sydney

Venue: ANZ Stadium

Preview
Australia face's its first big challenge for 2009. The French arrive to complete their 2008-09 season with this test against Australia.

The French arrive from two tough tests against New Zealand. Injuries and fatigue may well count against them but in New Zealand they showed a toughness and soundness in defence that made it very difficult for New Zealnd to score tries. They have made a lot of changes giving everybody in the squad a chnace to perform and injecting some fresh legs onto the paddock. Still it seems a little risky against a full strength Australian side.

Australia showed brilliance at times against a resilient Italian side. The selectors have brought back top players rested against Italy in the second test to field possibly their strongest available side.

Last Five Encounters
22.11.2008 Australia 18-13 in Paris
05.07.2008 Australia 40-10 in Brisbane
28.06.2008 Australia 34-13 in Sydney
05.11.2005 France 26-16 in Paris
02.07.2005 Australia 37-31 in Brisbane

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-France 2nd, Australia 8th

Prediction: The French pack to overcome the Aussies, and win by 20 points.

Teams

Australia
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 George Smith, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Phil Waugh, 19 David Pocock, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 James O'Connor.

France
15 Damien Traille, 14 Maxime Medard, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 Lionel Beauxis, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Julien Puricelli, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Romain Millo Chluski, 4 Pascal Papé, 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Nicolas Mas, 18 Remy Martin, 19 Damien Chouly, 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Vincent Clerc, 22 Julien Arias.

Team lists from http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_5401076,00.html