Preview: Australia v France

Saturday's second Test between Australia and France in Brisbane will be the last game of rugby to be played under the ELVs, not that it will make a difference to the result.

Saturday's second Test between Australia and France in Brisbane will be the last game of rugby to be played under the ELVs, not that it will make a difference to the result.

I can tell you now Australia will win, the only question is by how much – and the answer lies with themselves. As Matt Giteau said in the week the Wallabies are failing to show the required patience in attack, ultimately costing them a glut of points against what was an ordinary France team in Sydney last week.

If anything the 34-13 score-line flattered Robbie Deans' free-running Australian side, so don't expect them to make the same mistake twice. Deans, as is true of most top New Zealand coaches, never fails to learn from his mistakes – so expect to see an improved Australia put France to the sword.

Australia's problem in the first Test was as simple as this – their running rugby does not suit the old laws. That is no excuse for the basic errors they came up with in Sydney, but it does help to explain why they looked a little out of sorts.

Their back-line is used to operating with a little more space, as under the ELVs, so rather than adjust their rugby to the old laws we saw Australia try and combine the two. The result was mixed at best, chances were created with some lovely rugby, but chances were also wasted by that lack of patience Giteau highlighted.

It probably didn't help that Luke Burgess was a little wayward with his passing. It is never easy to replace a player of George Gregan's standing, although Burgess is doing his level best despite the somewhat harsh criticism he has received.

What we must understand is that he is young and trying to play his own game, and it will take a while before he is fully settled and Gregan is a very distant memory. Until then people will obviously compare the two, although at present there is no real comparison. So it is Burgess' job to stick to his style and find his feet at the top.

It is too late for Deans to make any major changes now, especially given that Australia start their Tri-Nations campaign in two weeks. What he needs to do is keep at it with the same ideas, as they are good ones, they just need a fine tuning before the real challenges arrive.

France find themselves in a position of weakness for no other reason than that their domestic season is far too long. Had it been shorter we would be watching a full-strength French side give the Wallabies a run for their money.

As it is Li̬vremont is using this game as a chance to give every squad member a run out. In fact, he went as far as saying he was more concerned with that than the result itself Рshould his side trudge off the field fifty points in the red he may regret his choice.

Back row aside it is difficult to see where France will compete on a even keel – Alexis Palisson's wing may provide the other beacon of light. The back-line, that's seven players, have a total of thirteen caps between them, less than an average of two apiece. The Wallabies will not be losing any sleep heading into this one, that's for certain.

Clearly it will be a case of damage limitation for France – thoughts of winning do not even enter into it for them. That is not writing them off before the game has begun, but taking a realistic approach to events.

So if you are a fan of the old laws enjoy them whilst you can, as this is the last time you will see them. It may well, result depending, be the last time you see or hear from several of France's players.

One to Watch:

For Australia: To have racked up 68 caps as a second choice openside is quite an achievement, but then Phil Waugh is quite a player. Forced to play second fiddle to George Smith for most of his international career Waugh gets a rare start on Saturday to stake his own claim to the seven jersey. At present it belongs to Smith, but Waugh has the ability to turn in a performance worthy of a regular starting spot, albeit against a weakened French team. One area that is not weak though is their back row, so Waugh's efforts can be judged as if Australia were playing a 'first-choice' France team. It will need to be vintage Waugh to dislodge Smith ahead of the Tri-Nations Tests.

For France: When you name an inexperienced back-line you would expect at least one 'old head' to steady the ship and nurture the youthful endeavour, not with France. Instead it is down to François Trinh-Duc, restored at fly-half, to ensure France give a better account of themselves with ball in hand this week. To say he failed at thirteen would be a touch harsh, but he was far from excellent, so it would have been a relief for the Montpellier playmaker to be handed the ten jersey once more. He has the ability to limit France's losses, as there is no doubting Australia will take this game, but he will first need to deal with a hungry Australian back row.

Head-to-Head: Out on the wing there could be an intriguing battle of two young speed merchants. In the blue corner is Alexis Palisson, winning just his second cap, whilst in the gold corner we have Lachie Turner on Test debut. Palisson, a relative unknown until last week, showed glimpses of his potential – once going around Lote Tuqiri as if he was nothing more than a prop out of position, and then powering over Stirling Mortlock for a try. Turner, despite being on debut is a talent – two tries in the Super 14 Final against the Crusaders confirmed his undoubted potential. So to see these two lightweight, quick-footed and adventurous wings going head-to-head should be a pleasure to watch.

Previous Results:

2008: Australia won 34-13 in Sydney
2005: France won 26-16 in Marseille
2005: Australia won 37-31 in Brisbane
2004: France won 27-14 in Paris
2002: Australia won 31-25 in Sydney
2002: Australia won 29-17 in Melbourne
2001: France won 14-13 in Marseille
2000: Australia won 18-13 in Paris
1999: Australia won 35-12 in Cardiff (RWC Final)
1998: Australia won 32-21 in Paris
1997: Australia won 26-19 in Brisbane
1997: Australia won 29-15 in Sydney
1993: Australia won 24-3 in Paris
1993: France won 16-13 in Toulouse
1990: France won 28-19 in Sydney
1990: Australia won 48-31 in Brisbane
1990: Australia won 21-9 in Sydney

Prediction: With Robbie Deans keeping his side pretty much intact from last week, and his counterpart Marc Lièvremont opting for sweeping changes this one is only going one way. France may offer more behind the forwards with François Trinh-Duc back at fly-half but it will not be enough to out-score the Wallabies. Australia by 25 points.

The Teams:

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Stephen Hoiles, 7 Phil