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France
41
Match Complete
Australia
17
| M. Jaminet |  | 80 | ||
| 77 |  | S. Vunivalu | ||
| M. Jaminet |  | 75 | ||
| D. Penaud | | 73 | ||
| G. Villiere | | 63 | ||
| 61 | | C. Gordon | ||
| 60 | | F. McReight | ||
| T. Ramos | | 57 | ||
| D. Penaud | | 55 | ||
| T. Ramos | | 53 | ||
| T. Ramos | | 35 | ||
| T. Ramos | | 27 | ||
| T. Ramos | | 24 | ||
| 12 | | M. Nawaqanitawase | ||
| T. Ramos | | 7 | ||
| J. Danty | | 6 |
| 4 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 5 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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Eddie Jones has decided to fight fire with fire as the Wallabies face-off against Rugby World Cup host nation France in the lead-up to the major tournament. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 1:45pm (AEST).
There had been wide speculation about the side Jones would pick, and whether it would be an inexperienced side or a more settled one.
He has gone with the latter; having Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou start up front with Dave Porecki gives the Wallabies some serious ball-carrying power. Bell was monstrous in Dunedin against the All Blacks, and Porecki too went to a new level with his physicality.
The injury cloud that hung over Tupou and his battered rib cartilage seems to have passed, and the ‘Tongan Thor’ is set to start in what is a vital hit-out for his own confidence and game-fitness.
Captain Will Skelton and Richie Arnold are the locks, providing the biggest second row the Wallabies can muster. Not only are the duo ginormous, but they have a French connection, playing week-in week-out with and against the opposition in French club rugby.
The backrow remains unchanged from the narrow loss to the All Blacks with Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini retaining their spots. The trio are fast, physical and combative and they will need these traits in spades to stave-off their opposites.
Most exciting of all is the possible debuts for Blake Schoupp and Issak Fines-Leleiwasa. Both have been in and around the Wallabies environment the entire year, but they have both effectively come out of nowhere to loom as wildcards for the World Cup
Fabien Galthie has likewise picked a stacked side to take on the Wallabies. The miniscule one-point victory last year in November is surely still burned into his memory, and not wanting a repeated close affair the monocled Frenchmen has gone with the top-shelf group.
Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand and Uini Atonio is a hulking front-row which will require Bell, Porecki and Tupou to be on their very best. Atonio is one of the few props in the world that can make Tupou look small.
Gabin Villiere, known as ‘the French matchstick’ for his iconic red headgear, and Damian Penaud are the two wingers along with the sergeant Thomas Ramos at fullback.
Penaud punished the Wallabies last year, and although Villiere wasn’t playing then, he is one of the most dangerous finishers in the game, while Ramos is a great kicking tactician.
The game will be close. The Wallabies have had time together in camp to hone their connections and to work on their game as a unit, while the French were troubled for a time by a raging Fijian side last weekend.
Les Bleus will want to put out a strong performance to rally their countrymen ahead of their World Cup opener against the All Blacks on September 9.
The Wallabies were within a whisker 10 months ago: now they are a different side, while the French have maintained their form of excellence but are without the prince of their side and five-eighth Romain Ntamack.
The Wallabies are not expected to win this game, but they can definitely cause an upset in Paris.
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 1:45am (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: France $1.14, Wallabies $6.10 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Wallabies
1. Angus Bell, 2. Dave Porecki, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Richie Arnold, 5. Will Skelton (c), 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Suliasi Vunivalu, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Jordan Petaia, 14. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15. Andrew Kellaway.
Replacements: 16. Matt Faessler, 17. Blake Schoupp, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Matt Philip, 20. Rob Leota, 21. Langi Gleeson, 22. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 23. Ben Donaldson.
France
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. Francois Cros, 7. Charles Ollivion (c), 8. Gregory Alldritt, 9. Antoine Dupont, 10. Matthieu Jaibert, 11. Gabin Villiere, 12. Jonathan Danty, 13. Gael Fickou, 14. Damian Penaud, 15. Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Sebastien Taofifenua, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Cameron Woki, 21. Paul Boudehent, 22. Baptiste Couilloud, 23. Melvyn Jaminet
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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.