France and Australia have played out a thrilling encounter in Paris, with the Wallabies holding off a late French charge to claim the victory at Stade de France by 25 points to 23.
It was a bruising contest from both sides, both throwing themselves into contact with no quarter given, the last play of the match seeing a drop goal floating outside the upright to break French hearts.
All the wash-up from France vs Wallabies:
» Match report: Wallabies outlast France
» Brent Ford’s talking points
» What changes should the Wallabies make for Ireland?
» Vote on our DIY player ratings
» Re-live the match with our live blog
» WATCH the highlights from the match
Wallaby depth
After several changes and late disruption to the run-on side due to Quade Cooper’s injury, this match shows the Wallabies are starting to build some real depth and confidence across the wider squad.
To secure a victory in Paris without a number of regulars is a tremendous achievement and provides Michael Cheika with an excellent platform to continue to build upon for the Wallabies.
Wallaby defence
Committed, aggressive and urgent, scrambling admirably on numerous occasions, Coach Cheika will be relatively happy with the performance here.
It would be easy to poke holes in the lack of cohesion at times but not unexpected given the number of changes within the side and shows this side is working hard for each other as a group, a heartening sign given the challenges to come.
Wallaby scrum
One area that the Wallabies struggled with, they were put under constant pressure by a big French side. Mario Ledesma will have his work cut out here to improve this area of the Wallaby squad with the Wallabies’ loosehead side struggling at times.
David Pocock
Not bad this bloke, a constant menace at the breakdown causing the French many headaches, easily my man of the match with another stand out performance.
Whether you are a fan of the ‘pooper’ or not, it is not difficult to see why Cheika insists on playing both Michael Hooper and Pocock in the same loose forward trio.
Luke Morahan
An assured performance from the Australian outside back and of the non-regular starters is perhaps the one player to be causing Cheika to reconsider the pecking order.
Considering the strength of the opposition to come, Morahan appeals as being in better form than Henry Speight, particularly in defence and it would not be surprising to see a change here next week in Dublin.
Those are my talking points from this mornings close encounter with the Wallabies showing tremendous character to defeat the French.
The Wallabies grand slam ambitions continue next week against a very good Irish side next week and they can look forward to this challenging encounter with confidence as they remain unbeaten in the North thus far.
What are your thoughts Roarers?
Terry
Guest
Hooper doesn't get injured because he is in the backline and not in the trenches with Poey
Browny
Guest
Not really, he's only 193, so you'd be left with Arnold and Fardy as the two genuine targets. If the lineout needs to be a focus probably better off with 4 Arnold, 5 Simmons, 6 Fardy, 7 Pocock, 8 Timani with Douglas and Hooper on the bench. If it was going to be the players you selected I'd be looking at 4 Arnold, 5 Fardy, 6 Pocock, 7 Hooper, 8 Timani with Simmons and McMahon on the pine.
Browny
Guest
Or we just don't play him at all...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah I do, it means he can't play the best 7 in the world at 7 without having another one on the field. If he has he sure isn't doing it now. And won't next week. I don't know of any other 7 in history where that is the case.
mtiger
Guest
great for him, He is a good example of somebody who has lower top range skills, but adapting well.
Urmuother
Guest
I am a wallabies supporter and I agree that Pockock is by no means the best 7 in the world. interested to see who you think the contenders would be - bias's aside of course
Doubles
Guest
Drew`s good at searing to the French buffet at Toulon by the looks of his fat cheeks, triple chins and rotund gut when he arrived here....
Marto
Guest
We know why Mumm is selected ..I can`t be bothered arguing about it anymore.. Mumm will be picked on the bench and Fardy dropped.. On the other hand If Mumm is going to get picked, i wish as Markus noted,he be selected as the 3rd lock , so we can maybe accommodate Mcmahon and Fardy if we go for a 6-2 split..
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
That would be a risk, T-man, there's never been an international test in which Pocock has played without Hooper on his side, is there? Do you have a clue what you're talking about?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Thanks, taylorman. That was sort of entirely my point
Utah
Guest
Sounds like you need to go talk to someone
Akari
Roar Rookie
You could be right, Tman. I suspect that the Irish was only focused on two tests with one creating history after their surprise win in Chicago. I also suspect that they might be lulled in now thinking that they only need to turn up on the weekend to beat the WBs given the thrashings the ABs gave the WBs in 3 tests this year. On the other hand, the WBs are IMO ready for the forthcoming test.
John
Guest
lol BFC. what is Folau, scotch mist?
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks DC. 5 / 5 Well done WBs. Hard luck for FRA. Could have won at death. Enjoyed the match, irrespective of the winner
Russell Neville
Roar Rookie
I also got worried at that point. He seems to go for too much ground gain. Some one should talk to him about just getting the bloody ball into touch albeit with 10 metres less gain.
Russell Neville
Roar Rookie
I think that James Slipper is playing in the wrong position. He constantly gets over the gain line has some pace and can off-load. But his scrummaging has really deteriorated. Perhaps number 8 would be a better option for him. He is obviously strong enough, perhaps not as tall as the tradition No 8 and might not be the best Line-out option. But who knows it can't be worse than playing him at Loose-Head Prop.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Hmmmm. Had the WBs lost, Foley would have been villified by the media.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Well done Diggercane.
John
Guest
Wendy, Folau topped the entire Super Rugby competition in tries this year, playing in multiple backline positions. He was Australia's best outside back throughout the England series in June. Was Australia's best outside back against NZ in Bledisloe III and again vs Wales & Scotland, playing multiple backline positions. Two points: 1) Morahan was far from "exceptional" yesterday 2) No one in football is untouchable. If Morohan had achieved what Folau already has this year (while being held to a different standard from everyone else), he'd be playing.
The Saint
Roar Guru
You can keep Pocock. The ABs are doing nicely without him, thank you very much. The WBs need him more than the ABs. You can carry him back Rebellion.