Traille ready to deliver a surprise
Many are expecting Australia to make light work of France on Saturday, but Damien Traille has warned locals that France mean business and are not there just to make up the numbers.
Many are expecting Australia to make light work of France on Saturday, but Damien Traille has warned locals that France mean business and are not there just to make up the numbers.
France's plight has not been helped by the Top 14 play-offs – over fifteen first choice players were unavailable to tour due to club commitments – but they are still focused on beating the Wallabies.
Traille is the only survivor from last year's World Cup and he is refusing to accept the suggestions that France are weak and there for the taking.
“I don't really know what people say but we are not here to be a victim, or a sparring partner,” Traille told Fox Sports.
“We want to play our game on Saturday and be successful.
“We knew that this tour would be a bit complicated because we have a young squad but we also know the coach trusts us and has confidence in our group.
“Now it is just a matter of enjoying ourselves in the game and playing for the win.”
Those who think France are inexperienced are wrong, only two of the starting XV are on debut, although the bench is lacking the sort of depth required at this level.
That said France have enough talent in their side to raise a few Australian eyebrows and even cause what would be a major upset.
“We did not come here only for defence. With the new players, there is an ability to move the ball and play some attractive rugby,” Traille said.
Since Marc Lièvremont took over last year we have seen the France of old coming to the fore. For too long under Bernard Laporte France played a rigid style of rugby that required them to stick to guidelines.
Slowly though Li̬vremont is bringing back the old Gallic flair, a return to running rugby that requires the players to play what is in front of them Рregardless of the previous calls.
“It is true since the World Cup there have been many great players of the French team to have stopped playing like Fabien Pelous, Serge Betsen, Christophe Dominici,” Traille said.
“Now it is a younger team but we also want to create our own history playing our own rugby.
“The World Cup, it is forgotten. When you are a sportsman you look to the future. You don't look back too much.”