Coach Robbie Deans believes victory over France will be vital to giving the Wallabies momentum as they kick off their European tour next week.
The Australian touring party, which left for Paris on Saturday, start their four-Test campaign at the Stade de France on November 10 before taking on England, Italy and Wales on successive weekends.
"The first one is key for us," Deans told reporters at Sydney Airport.
"The French have already expressed how important it is to them. We're playing on the Armistice weekend, so history suggests they will play out of their skins on that basis.
"And it's our first outing so it's very important that we get off to a good start. If we do, it will be a real fillip for the group."
Deans said he is conscious about protecting Australia's top-four ranking during the European tour.
Second behind World Cup champions New Zealand, the Wallabies know they will need a good tour to protect their seeding for the 2015 World Cup, the draw for which will be made based on rankings on December 3.
England, France and Wales are fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, with any team outside the protected top four facing the possibility of an early showdown with the all-powerful All Blacks.
"Seedings are important, but no more so than the fact they are Test matches," Deans said.
"That's the by-product -- we won't be dwelling on that fact.
"In the background, I guess we're conscious of the fact it's an important stretch."
Wallabies skipper Nathan Sharpe, on his last tour before retirement, said he was looking at leaving rugby on a high by going through the tour undefeated.
It would be a significant achievement considering Australia have not had an unbeaten four-Test European tour since 1996.
"It doesn't happen very often," said Deans.
"That's obviously what we aspire to - we'll enter every Test looking to win it."
Comments
Ferdie says...
Ferdie says... georgesmith should resign and do everyone a favour.
I am hoping Nathan Sharpe gets the player of the tour award, scores a match-winning try, converts it from the sideline, then as a grand finale kicks a 55m left-footed drop goal.
Posted 10:59 07th November 2012
georgesmith says...
R. Deans should resign and do everyone a favour.
Posted 09:48 07th November 2012
Ferdie says...
this from Oz site The Roar, a perspective on the Qantas Wallabies' record in recent years v the teams the face in the next few weeks:
- Won eight of the past 10 against France (including the past five)
- Won seven of the past 11 against England (including three at Twickenham)
- Undefeated against Italy in 14 matches (with an average winning margin of 22.5 points) and;
- Won the past eight against Wales (including three in Cardiff)
people so quick to write them off, but that's a good record to have. I'd go for three from four, England the one loss. But don't bet on it!
Posted 07:04 07th November 2012
OzinLondon says...
NHSaints
"Good luck to Oz... after your recent form you'll need it".
Is that the recent form where they have beaten the Grand Slam winners 3-0, beaten SA, beaten the Pumas home and away and stopped the seemingly unstoppable ABs machine from waltzing to a new win record... all despite a horrendous injury list?
They had one shocker against SA and were beaten twice by the team that. well... beats everybody (we will see in a few weeks just how far behind the ABs all the NH teams are).
Everyone on here loves to tell us about Oz's lack of depth... so you'd have to say that the Wallabies' season this year has been phenomenal with results that none of the teams they are playing in the NH have come close to in many years.
Why are NH supporters so smug? Oz is deservedly still ranked No 2 in the world despite losing 4 captains and many of their "go to" players. I would have thought that the NH coaches are the ones who should be sweating. You all spend so much time telling us how bad the Wallabies are... if your teams can't comprehensively beat them with half their squad on the sidelines... you should all give up and go home.
Posted 11:57 05th November 2012
KiwiLad says...
Very seldom do I cheer for Aus, but I will be on this tour.
Posted 08:32 05th November 2012
Trader2 says...
I would have thought that if Wannabies are 5th in the rankings on 3rd December they should be happy to meet the AB's early in the 2015 WC, afterall they just drew with them at Fortress Suncorp. (sorry couldn't help myself)
Seriously I think they will do okay, the squad they have with those who have come back look pretty good and there will be nothing like a clean sweep for all SH teams. There is nothing else I want for Xmas.
Posted 22:18 04th November 2012
Rosbif says...
For once melkdave mon ami, I'm afraid I see things very differently. I see Aus beating France quite easily. Best France can hope for is a fiery (if error-strewn) first 30 minutes from the pack. Then, I just can't see anything other than a convincing Aus win. Last time in Paris, it was a draw at half time I think, and then Aus won 59-10, or something of that order.
France will have absolutely no cohesion or patterns in attack since they're a new team and haven't had any sessions together. Set piece and defence will be ok at first, but once Aus get ahead and the game gets loose (which they/it surely will), that will go out the window too. France are historically very poor vs Aus and haven't won since 2005 or so??? Aus attack patterns and continuity are not like anything the French players are used to. If Beale plays like he can, and he gets some front foot ball, it's going to be a long cold evening chasing shadows in front of an increasingly aloof and irritable Parisian crowd.
Aus by 20+ (regrettably) imo
Good luck to both teams :-)
Posted 14:31 04th November 2012
melkdave says...
Going to be a big ask imo,for the wallabies to win more than one test this tour.Giventhe injury crisis in their ranks ,and i feel some players have been rushed back like B.Barnes and D.Mitchel ,shows their passion for the team and shirt.But could realy derail their tour if theve got it wrong .As to beating France ,well as always that depends on which France decide to turn up.Personnally im not expecting a good tour from the walabies ,i think they will lose 3 of the 4 tests ,and be pushed very close in the one they win .To many quality players injured or back to soon from injury ,and id say theve used up all thier luck results wise this year
Posted 11:14 04th November 2012
NHsaints says...
Good luck to you Oz players and supporters, up against France, England and Wales on their home turf after your recent form you'll need it. If I were deans I'd be sweating over this tour right now.
Posted 10:39 04th November 2012
pierredelot1 says...
France not always a good test and especially so in the Autumn. It really depends on whether they really want to put in the effort and win. The French players don't regard these matches as important and usually look as if they've just got out of bed to play them. It will be interesting to see if the management can make them rise to the occasion especially as key players such as Dusauttoir are missing. Can't see what Armistice day has to do with it, it's never made them play out of their skins before. Lets face it S/H hemisphere sides are looking to win every match no matter what, France it probably depends on whether they have a great dinner the night before. I'd love to see a great French performance but so far this team hasn't shown any great ambition, despite having quality players.
Posted 10:22 04th November 2012
Waz4before says...
Australia are down and France need to show they can take advantage - but to be honest, they're both in need of a win.
Posted 09:09 04th November 2012
Eejbm says...
Go Wallabies, he's to an undefeated tour.
Posted 09:02 04th November 2012
jonesy2 says...
in a way all the injuries and stuff has been a blessing in disguise in terms of going into the spring tour with all the players they have returning. i feel an undefeated tour coming up, hopefully starting with a repeat of the thrashing of france last time they were there
Posted 05:22 04th November 2012
three6three6 says...
Yes, this tour will be a real examination - with France, England, Italy and Wales it will be a thorough examination. All of these teams will be strong up front.... and focusing on perceived Wallaby weaknesses up front. Good luck for a successful tour.
Posted 03:47 04th November 2012
dangerous says...
Just realised how many tough games the wallabies have on this tour! Coming off a tough rugby championship attrition will be the defining factor for the success of Australia I feel.
Posted 21:36 03rd November 2012
paulynz says...
Good luck Wallabies.
You won't lack for leadership that's for sure...
Posted 18:33 03rd November 2012
PREEST says...
I hope the Wallabies have a good tour. They need it, as they have a massive year next year with the Lions tour. Good luck to the Wallabies~
Posted 16:24 03rd November 2012