Australia will be looking for another big win in the Rugby League World Cup when they take on France, who must pull off the upset to end all upsets to keep their finals chances alive. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEDT).
The Kangaroos came away with a convincing victory last weekend over England, but still need to prove a few points.
Their attack was a little up and down, particularly during the first half. That can certainly be put down to rust, but given there have been no changes to the spine, a cricket score could be on the cards against a French team who were uninspiring in their loss to Lebanon.
Australia, have rung the changes elsewhere for this match. James Maloney replaces Cooper Cronk in the halves, and a new-look wing combination will see Josh Mansour and Tom Trbojevic in line for plenty of tries, while Jake Trbojevic is out for the tournament, replaced by Josh McGuire at lock.
David Klemmer and Aaron Woods are back to the bench as well, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard set to make his debut up front alongside Jordan McLean, who came off the bench last time out.
Because Australia won last week, they are now in pole position to secure top spot in Group A. That should mean they avoid a semi-final clash with New Zealand, unless of course the Kiwis lose to Tonga next weekend.
France, on the other hand, are trying to save their World Cup campaign. Their loss to Lebanon means they need to beat either Australia or England, as well as getting their for-and-against back ahead of the Cedars – and that’s providing the Lebanese don’t win either of their two remaining games.
The French were ordinary last week. Their defence didn’t hold strong, and while it took some Mitchell Moses brilliance to put the French away at the end of the game, they should have been further ahead.
Theo Fages can only do so much, and while he was strong with his kicking and passing game, he needs to find some support from new halves partner Remy Marginet, who replaces William Barthau, and fullback Mark Kheirallah, who struggled to make much of an impact.
At the end of the day, France aren’t in the same league as Australia and will need to play out of their skin to compete.
Prediction
Australia will be way too strong. Let’s hope it’s not, but this could well be over before halftime.
Australia by 28.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Rugby League World Cup from 8pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
duecer
Guest
This is just another nail in the French RL coffin - virtually assured not to get out of the group stage, with Lebanon, filled mostly with Australians grabbing the QF spot. Magic Lyrebird may consider just over 12k a good crowd, but in their heyday they got over 60k to matches with the Kangaroos here. I know many defend the quasi Australia teams as making the competition competitive, but this is the result - a once powerful RL nation rendered unable to contest.
Magic Lyrebird
Guest
Went to the game, good crowd, good atmosphere, lots of french accents, had a great time. Dugan's try alone was worth the price of admission. As was the length of the field effort by the french fullback.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
At the half-time break France mentioned the difficulty in keeping up with the pace of Australia. France have all the attacking skills but geez if you don't control the ball or if your game management is weak then those skills won't amount to much. Unfortunately France missed their chance against Lebanon in a game that they really should have won.
Griffo
Guest
That's alright. I'm a bit of a Morgan fan. He had two try assists tonight, should have been 4!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
France showed a lot of courage but they just weren't fit or experienced enough to compete. There was a ten minute period in the first half when France actually had some proper ascendancy. But yeesh, hard to keep that up when your opponents are giants.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Just way too much class in the Aussie side. I think most nations like France will put up a good 20-30 mins before folding. Considering Maloney pretty much pulled out hours before the game and this is already the 2nd string side just shows the vast chasm between the teams. Amazing try-scoring feats from Graham. When he plays disciplined he is one of the best 2nd rowers in the game and I think Mal really rates him highly. Good debut by Kaufusi, Munster, Turbo and RCG, solid performances as you woud expect considering the opposition. Game pretty much went as everybody expected.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report to follow shortly. Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup as Australia came away with a thumping victory over France. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back tomorrow night from 8pm (AEDT) for England and Lebanon. Before then though, we have two games coming to us from across the ditch. First, from 3pm (AEDT) Alan Nicolea will bring you New Zealand and Scotland, before John Coomer will be in the chair for that HUGE clash between Samoa and Tonga at 5:30pm (AEDT). Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Sorry, you're right he did. Hard to keep up with these things sometimes!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Campbell-Gillard brings it back from the restart, then it's Kaufusi and Woods down the right-hand side. Over halfway goes McGuire before Munster goes short side for Graham who flicks it inisde for Trboejvic and he is tackled. Last tackle, the kick goes through and there's a mistake from France. That'll do it here in Canberra. The scoreboard might indicate Australia were utterly dominant, and let's be honest, they were, but it doesn't really reflect how well France fought. They could have easily conceded 80 if they didn't defend well, but they did and managed to get on the scoreboard as well. France will now need to beat England to have any chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, while Australia take on Lebanon next week. Australia 52 France 6
Griffo
Guest
Morgan threw the pass
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by CAMERON MUNSTER Australia 52 France 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - TRY AUSTRALIA, VALENTINE HOLMES Australia right on the attack here. Dugan looking dangerous after a few forward runs, then flicks a ball left with Mansour tackled. Klemmer back to the posts, then it's McLean to Morgan and he throws a cut out pass wide to Valentine Holmes who beats Yaha, just staying in the field of play and scoring in the corner. Holmes has only just come on, but he crashes over for Australia's 10th try of the evening as the Kangaroos hit 50. Australia 52 France 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - McLean brings it back from the restart for Australia, before Campbell-Gillard picks up a penalty on the back of a strong run. Australia 48 France 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED by CAMERON MUNSTER Australia 48 France 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - TRY AUSTRALIA, CAMERON MUNSTER This is unfortunate for France. Graham has brought Australia within 40 and then got a quick play the ball which allows the Kangaroos to keep attacking down the left-hand side. Dugan is with it, throwing through a grubber from 30 out and Kheirallah has slipped over. The ball sits up nicely and Munster will run through to score a pretty easy try. Australia 48 France 6
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
France had their ten minutes of glory midway through the first half. Australia are making around 50-60m per set. France seem to be making 30-35m. Ouch.
Scott Pryde
Expert
73' - Frizell is off for Australia here who came up with a limp a few minutes ago. Meanwhile, Fages gets a kick to sit up on the goalline and Trbojevic does a great job to scamper it back into the field of play for Australia. Australia 44 France 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
72' - Campbell-Gillard over halfway, then Dugan with a run before they go back to the middle and McGuire drops the ball for Australia. This game is just sort of meandering along to the end now. Not much drama left in it. Australia 44 France 6
Scott Pryde
Expert
71' - France go nowhere in this set and the kick goes up on the last. It's a little shallow from Fages though and Holmes brings it back towards halfway. Australia 44 France 6