Deans - We'll be ready

Deans: happy with preparation

We'll lick our wounds and gather a group for the Tri-Nations. We're very conscious that it will be another level, but these guys are ready for that, we've built from week to week.

Robbie Deans
Quotes of the week

Watch every Tri-Nations match live on Sky Sports

Related links

Teams

• France

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Rugby on Sky
• Live scores

Australia coach Robbie Deans insists his side are improving week-by-week and will be ready for the challenge of the Tri-Nations.

The Wallabies wrapped up a 2-0 series win over France with a record 40-10 victory in Brisbane on Saturday.

"Each week we've taken a step and made some progress and the pleasing thing is that we haven't dropped off the things that we've added," Deans said.

"We'll lick our wounds and gather a group for the Tri-Nations. We're very conscious that it will be another level, but these guys are ready for that, we've built from week to week."

Man-of-the-match Matt Giteau kicked eight goals from as many attempts and had a hand in each of Australia's four tries, two by replacement centre Ryan Cross and one each from wing Peter Hynes and lock James Horwill.

"I think that as a side we just went back to basics tonight. We played a simpler game plan and that's what works best for us," Giteau said. "There's no doubt we're starting to get a lot more cohesion now."

Australia get their Tri-Nations campaign under way against world champions South Africa in Perth on July 19.

France coach Marc Lievremont, who was forced to name a relatively inexperienced team, said: "Our young players were courageous but that wasn't enough.

"We prepared for this game thinking we could win but the Australian team made us face reality. It's hard to be happy after losing by 30 points but there is still some satisfaction. Some individuals did well."