France haven’t beaten the Wallabies on Australian soil in 24 years but Les Bleus are committed to ending the long drought in a key boost ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup.
And inspirational skipper Thierry Dusautoir believes it may be the under-strength outfit that plays next Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane which has the best chance of an upset.
Dusatoir and coach Phillipe Saint-Andre, speaking for the first time on their three-week tour, both view victory over No.3-ranked Australia as important to their psychology 15 months out from the World Cup.
Saint-Andre was in the last French team to win Down Under, in 1990 against Nick Farr-Jones’ rising world champions, and he said they must rise above the difficulty of touring at the end of a rugged domestic season.
For once the French will tour with their strongest possible squad but they are still hamstrung by their packed calendar ahead of the three-Test series.
Seven of the 31-man tour party remain in France, for this weekend’s Top 14 final between Toulon and Castres, and won’t arrive in Brisbane until Tuesday morning.
In a strong pointer that the six who play in the final will be rested from next Saturday’s opening Test at Suncorp Stadium, Saint-Andre said there would be a big difference between his first and second Test teams.
But flanker Dusautoir disagreed France’s best chances were in the second Test in Melbourne (June 14) and a potential decider in Sydney (June 21).
As well as being less drained, France will have more time together than the Wallabies who won’t start training on the Gold Coast until Monday.
“Maybe it will be easier because we are at the end of the season so maybe the first game we will be more fresh physically,” the captain said. “I see it as a good opportunity.
“It’s been a long time but just winning against Australia is a good motivation for us because it’s the last tour before the World Cup.”
Dusautoir is desperate to see his team do better than last year when they pushed the All Blacks in their June series but ultimately lost 3-0.
“When you beat a top nation like Australia, South Africa or New Zealand you have more confidence,” he said.
“You need to know you can be better than the best nations in the world.”
Saint-Andre confirmed he was looking closely at both veteran playmaker Frederic Michalak, who is still in France but overlooked by Toulon, and halfback Morgan Parra to take the No.10 jersey for the first Test.
richard
Guest
We rectified that in Marseilles later that year.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
I wonder what Super rugby will be in 19994? The travel to play your Andromeda galaxy conference tour would be taxing...never mind South Africa!
Hopperdoggy
Guest
I guess that loses a bit in the translation?
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Well I have always been critical of the depth in Australian rugby but I actually think they are finally starting to develop a bit of depth. You don't get 3 sides in the top 6/7 of super rugby without depth. I think tey have got good cover across the park. How their scrum will hold up though is always the big question with any aussie side
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
19994....wait, isn't that 18000 years or so in the future. Must be nice to have future foresight. Anyway, French lift against the All Blacks. They don't lift the same against the Aussies.
Billy Bob
Guest
Very good Tane.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
There was no French tour to NZ in 94 or 09. It didnt exist. Never happened. This isnt about NZ!!!! Stop, youre being childish.
Jerry
Guest
They won the trophy, not the series.
Firstxv
Guest
yeah they did, on countback..it was a bit weird in that no one knew a points diff would decide the two test series. They decided not to 'tell the side'...but how the whole country didnt know that was the case was a bit strange...
Jerry
Guest
They didn't really win the series in 09. Though ironically it was the 'understrength' version that won the first game.
Pete
Guest
Well the French won series in NZ in 19994 and 2009, and that is a pretty weak Australian team so it could go either way.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
The "understrength" French team will only be missing 4 or so from the 23 in game 1. Australia will be missing about about the same through injury and eligibility so its not worth considering them as understrength and Aus at full strength.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Watch out for the ambush. Aus 2-1
Mike
Guest
You don't frighten us you Australian pig dogs. Go boil your bottoms, you sons of a silly person!
messa
Guest
I think if we do not respect the french they will win the series.... particularly if we get some key injuries.... Yes our strongest XV on paper is stronger but I hope the fans remember that the french have a lot more depth in talent that we do.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Only way the french will break their losing streak is if they picture the Wallabies wearing black jerseys. They just don't bring the same game to the table against the Aussies as they do against the All Blacks. Expect Aussie to whitewash them in their series.