Much of the talk has been about how the first test between
England and New Zealand has been rendered useless by the demands of a league
final and Australia’s first test against France could be seen to fall into the
same category.
None of the Toulon or Castres players that made the final
will be present for the first test and the absurdity of the selection is made
greater by the fact that Freddie Michalak didn’t make the 23 for the final but
will be the flyhalf here. Continuity has been a problem for them in previous
months but at least in some capacity they now come here with a XV that has seen
a lot of time amongst eachother through the 6 Nations.
The absence of Thierry Dusautoir, who is only two matches
back from arm surgery after a torn biceps side-lined him for four months, is
also a serious blow with Australia’s pack transformed from the mess that France
tore apart 33-6 in Paris two years ago.
However, with France, the main issue isn’t necessarily
personnel, it’s performance. They were fourth in this year’s 6 Nations but in
reality lucky to get the better of a vastly improving England side on the
opening weekend and had the benefit of facing England at home – they needed an
interception try to beat a poor Scotland side – while being battered by Wales
on for their only tough test on the road.
Since 2012 they have won just three of their away games, and
none of those against a top 5 IRB ranked nation (Scotland twice and Argentina’s
second elven) and they face an Australia that looks to be on the up after Ewen
McKenzie took the ropes following a horrendous rugby championship. In November
they trashed Italy and Ireland by a combined 37 points and scored 51 in beating
Scotland and Wales, with a new generation of younger, more mobile and powerful
forwards like Michael Hooper and Sam Carter to name but too. While the loss of
Quade Cooper is a blow, Bernard Foley has been superb throughought the season
as the Warathahs sit top of the Australian conference.
It is however, the Australian backline, where their power
lies. Israel Folau is the world’s premier fullback in the eyes of many and a
centre combination of Kuidranai and Toomua brings versatility and power in
equal measure. Adam Ashley Cooper’s good season sees him get a wing spot but
honey badger Nick Cummins’ has been the Australian player of the season for the
Force and can play a big part in a resounding success to kick off the
Australian summer here.
Advice
4 pts Australia -12 (10/11 general)
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