Australia v France: Teams
Australia fly-half Matt Giteau is braced for a tough encounter against France despite both sides rotating their squad.
Last Updated: 26/06/09 11:33am
Australia fly-half Matt Giteau is braced for a tough encounter against France despite both sides rotating their squad.
The French arrive in Sydney for the one-off Test on the back of a bruising series draw with New Zealand.
And although Les Bleus have tweaked their line-up - as injuries and fatigue takes its toll - Giteau knows that his side will face a thorough examination.
"They have obviously changed a few things, but I think they have the same rotation system as us," he said.
"They are trying to blood new players, create that depth. And the players they are bringing in have got experience.
"We are under no illusions. We always knew this game was going to be tough."
Coach Robbie Deans has named a full-strength side for the match - with the return of skipper Stirling Mortlock one of nine changes.
Full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper, winger Drew Mitchell, fly-half Matt Giteau, number eight Richard Brown, lock Nathan Sharpe, hooker Stephen Moore and props Al Baxter and Benn Robinson also comeback into the line-up.
That means Ryan Cross, James O'Connor, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Ben Alexander drop to the bench while Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Peter Kimlin and Pek Cowan are omitted from the squad.
Injury-hit
France coach Marc Lievremont has been forced to make a number of changes to his injury-hit team following the 14-10 defeat to New Zealand.
And Lievremont believes the test against the All Blacks could have taken too much out of his side - in comparison to Australia's games against Italy.
"Perhaps we will be better prepared because we have had two hard games but they (Australia) have been able to rotate their squad," Lievremont said.
"They had a number of players who didn't play (last Saturday). So maybe they will be fresher.
"I don't know what is better. We have some injuries already in the group, players who are tired and will have to play a third match, players not used to playing three matches in a row at that level."
Lièvremont has brought in Lionel Beauxis and Dimitri Yachvili at half-back, with Florian Fritz coming into a reshuffled backline.
In the forwards, No.8 Julien Puricelli, lock Pascal Pape, tighthead prop and hooker Dimitri Szarzewski come into the side.
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 George Smith, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Phil Waugh, 19 David Pocock, 20 Josh Valentine, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 James O'Connor.
France: 15 Damien Traille, 14 Maxime Medard, 13 Florian Fritz, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 Lionel Beauxis, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Julien Puricelli, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Romain Millo Chluski, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Nicolas Mas, 18 Remy Martin, 19 Damien Chouly, 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Vincent Clerc, 22 Julien Arias