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France’s players will focus on getting to know each other in the 10 days before they face the Wallabies in the first of two Tests, new coach Marc Lievremont said today.
Only a handful of Les Bleus’ players from the Six Nations tournament earlier this year are here for the two encounters – in Sydney next Saturday night and Brisbane on July 5 – and nearly half the 26-man squad comprises uncapped players.
Lievremont dismissed the suggestion the Wallabies would be disadvantaged by lack of match practice.
“We know the Aussie team is fresher than us because we had a long season, 12 months,” he told reporters through a translator.
“On the collective game, we’re missing a bit of practice together, probably because we only have seven players from the Six Nation (tournament).
“But we’ve got 10 days to prepare for this game and we’re going to prepare well.”
Australian Rugby Union chief John O’Neill has already accepted France’s apology over the strength of their side – despite previously being outspoken on the issue of weakened teams coming to Australia – but Lievremont defended the make-up of his squad.
“It’s a young team but with a lot of talented players. They all play in top-level clubs in France.
“So we have had to manage with the championship still going on but I think we bring a very consistent team and we’re looking forward to the game on Saturday.”
France had a session for their backs this morning at Woollahra Oval in Rose Bay, with the squad scheduled to train together this evening.
While his coach conceded the team was “very happy to be in Australia … very happy with the sun”, Les Bleus skipper Lionel Nallet offered a reassurance that he and his teammates were focused on taking the game to the Wallabies and not having a holiday.
“I think if there’s a key to the game that could give problems to Australia, it’s in the forwards,” he said through a translator.
“We are here to challenge the Aussie team and most of the players who are in the squad will be happy to show that they are able to play at that level.”
Nallet said the upcoming games were not only important for the younger players trying to establish themselves in the national team, but also for experienced players like himself.
“It’s the first time I’m coming to Australia so I want to perform,” he said.
France’s scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili said it was good to be playing in a younger team because there would be less pressure and many of his teammates would receive the honour of their debut caps for France.
Asked whether Les Bleus could pull off an upset at a time when there were high expectations for the Wallabies, following the recent appointment of new coach Robbie Deans, Yachvili said: “We will see, I don’t know. We come here to put pressure on this team”.
“After all, we know they’ve changed their coach. There’s a lot of new players also,” he said.
“They will be very motivated and want to beat us, we know it. But we have no pressure, we come to make good games and to to give all, to do our best and to defend our jersey.”
While conceding the Wallabies were a dangerous team, Yachvili said he was confident France could also score some tries.
“Maybe the (Wallabies) defence is not as good as we think … so we will see, but it’s a good team to watch.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.