Deans pleased with win

Wallabies come good in the second-half to defeat France

Last updated: 28th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Deans pleased with win

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Australia coach Robbie Deans was encouraged by an 'improved performance' as the Wallabies beat an under-strength France 34-13 in the first Test on Saturday.

Deans was taking charge for only his second match after the 18-12 win over Ireland a fortnight ago.

And it looked as though it was heading for a similarly close result as the Wallabies only led 10-6 at half-time.

But three second-half tries from lock Nathan Sharpe, flanker Rocky Elsom and captain Stirling Mortlock gave the Wallabies a convincing win.

While Deans was pleased with the victory, he still sees areas on which to work on.

Sustained attack

He said: "That was an improved performance. We sustained our attack for longer.

"We made a few mistakes in the first-half but showed a bit more patience in the second and were able to profit from that."

Captain Mortlock also believed the Wallabies put in an improved performance, but need to keep building.

"We're playing a fairly new style of attack and defence and it's not going to happen straight away," said Mortlock.

"I think we did improve but the key is to keep moving forward and build on this."

French reaction

French coach Marc Lievremont was pleased with the courage shown by his inexperienced team.

"It was never going to be a case where we ran over the Wallaby forwards," he said.

"But there is still some satisfaction because there was a lot of courage in defence. There are a lot of sore players in the dressing room right now."

The second and final Test is in Brisbane next week.

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