Following their emphatic victory in the first Test last weekend, Australia host France at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. Join us for live scores and updates from 8:00pm AEST.
Australia’s 50-23 victory in Brisbane was built on the back of some scintillating attacking play as the Wallabies of 2014 hit the ground running.
The momentum gained from this victory needs to be maintained, but a number of injuries have forced coach Ewen McKenzie to make a few changes from last Saturday night’s successful squad.
Gone from the starting line-up through injury are Stephen Moore, Sam Carter and Wycliff Palu, with Tatafu Polata-Nau, James Horwill and Ben McCalman respectively promoted from the bench in their place.
Their bench spots have been taken by Nathan Charles, Luke Jones and Scott Higgenbotham. The only other change to the squad sees Laurie Weeks take over from Paddy Ryan as the tighthead reserve after a poor display from Ryan from the bench in Brisbane.
Watch live on TEN with expert commentators Gordon Bray and Matt Burke
With the unfortunate season-ending injury to skipper Stephen Moore, Michael Hooper has been selected to fill in for Moore during his absence. The 22-year-old will start his first Test as Wallabies captain and perhaps offers us a glimpse of the future of Australian rugby, with many suggesting he would have been captain at some point in the future.
The Wallabies must maintain the high standard of the last Test, and also to put in a full 80-minute performance after a poor last quarter to the match marred an otherwise satisfying display.
The French, however, were very disappointing during the first Test. They put in a dismal defensive effort and would have been hurting this week.
But if there is one team in world rugby that can turn around a poor performance within a week it is the French. When one considers the quality of player this squad is able to introduce to this match, you know this will be a vastly improved outfit come kickoff in Melbourne.
French coach Philippe Saint-Andre has swung the axe, making 10 changes to his starting side for this match. The most notable is the return of France’s fabulous captain Thierry Dusautoir, one of the world’s premier flankers, while Mathieu Bastareaud adds size and power to France’s midfield.
The bench inclusion of Loius Picamoles, one of the world’s best No. 8s, tells us this will be a different French team out to restore some pride in their jersey and level the series at one win apiece heading to Sydney.
This Test has all the hallmarks of an absolute classic.
Scrubbit
Guest
Just watched that cuthbert try. That's outrageous.
Vic
Guest
The power of language, Harry. Say something enough times and the masses believe it without question and say it for you and before you know it it becomes fact. Scary.
Diggercane
Guest
No worries Rob, almost succumbed myself to be fair!!
Digby
Roar Guru
No fair enough Chopper, perhaps I was being uncharitable, wasnt trying to suggest the Boks are no good, they look strong and it was a positive start to the season as you have rightly pointed out.
RobC
Roar Guru
Cheers DC. Crashed at halftime. I don't have your stamina. Looks like 2nd half was untidy Maybe Boks were too far ahead to care, as much
Jimbo jones
Guest
Yes
Chopper1
Guest
Then left with a firing Alberts, Flo, Vermeulen, habana, Hendricks, fdp and yes morne Steyn, who slots em from anywhere? And a dominant scrum? I'll take it as I stand today. It's trite that there's a lot of work to finish, refine, polish, etc but that doesn't need to be said it's so obvious given it appliest to all teams just kicking off their first tests for the year. But thanks Johnno. Your assessment is appreciated.
There is a lot to work on, remove Willie from that game and then think again.
Johnno
Guest
Boks looking good.
Chopper1
Guest
As distinct from the folau show? Come on. Foo excellent. Scrum dominant. Line outs dominant. Four of five tries by the back three. Compared to the ABs and Aus performances this was in a different class. That is not just my view either. No one in SA thought the NZ Pom game was great. The first half was atrocious...
Chopper1
Guest
Now that is a more relevant question for Aus to ask.
Chopper1
Guest
Check the AB handling errors. Despite this mornings spectacle being almost universally enjoyed, the ABs were poor with unforced errors. Gatland was aiming for a whitewash (by Wales). Four of the five tries scored by backs (3 by the wings and one by Le roux). One rolling maul. First test of the year. Last week wasn't a test. Lambie is coming back soon. Handre pollard after the jwc. So goosen's injury is a bummer, but not fatal. Morne still delivers exactly as he needs to. I'm okay with this performance. Lots to work on, but nowhere near as jittery as the ABs are looking. They are playing each game hand to mouth to avoid losing. And the Poms were not good last week. Think some perspective is fitting.
Chopper1
Guest
Outstanding first half. Poor second half but because went back to playing off nine and Wales raised their game. Heineken just should have brought the bench on earlier - guys like Brits are not staid and boring but excellent impact players. The forwards just got tired because of the tempo in the first half, and mallet shares this view. But not sure anyone other than expat safs consider this sloppy and terrible???
Digby
Roar Guru
Yes, the realisation on Habanas face was priceless once he realised know one inside could get him, too late by then ;)
Well to be fair Cuthbert ran through 4 forwards there
Digby
Roar Guru
All good mate. Off to bed for me now ;) Great night (and morning) of test footy!!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
If I'd been watching an AFL game, I would hazard that more than 50% of the kicks would've been good.. or at least not straight down the throat of the opposition player or mindlessly hacked for immediately lost territory when the opposition kicks it right back because the kick didn't find touch or the chasers went AWOL.
Digby
Roar Guru
Yes, it wasnt great considering the start. The last 50 minutes were not flash. Plenty to work on despite a comfortable win. Cant quite get over that Cuthbert try, it was like the Bok defenders were set in stone!
Cheers Digger, you showed more commitment than the Boks. ;)
Digby
Roar Guru
82' The last seven minutes has seen the Boks hammer away at the Weslh inside their 22 in search of a sixth try but couldnt quite mangage to cross the line. Poite blows for fulltime!! Springboks win 38-16 over Wales. South Africa 38 Wales 16