Wallabies wary of ‘unpredictable’ 2nd-string France in opening Test
BRISBANE: Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper is under no illusions that his side have their work cut out against a young French team, despite Les Bleus missing key players and having been confined to 14 days’ quarantine.
The two teams kick off the first of three Tests over 11 days at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday with both eager to prove their credentials.
It will be Australia’s opening Test of the season ater just one win from six in an erratic 2020 under new coach Dave Rennie, while France’s inexperienced squad will be desperate to impress boss Fabien Galthie. Hooper, who is back on home soil ater a stint playing in Japan, said he was wary of the unpredictability of a team with seven rookies in their matchday 23.
“They’re going to come out firing, we know that,” the 105-Test flanker said on Tuesday. “We know they have been nothing but quality in the Six Nations with some of the firepower they have across the park.
“It’s going to be a great litle series, and a challenging series given it’s three games in 10 or 11 days,” he added.
Rennie is cautious of France on the counteratack and off the turnover.
“It’s a very strong squad, maybe not all household names to people in this part of the world,” he said. “Sometimes younger guys are hungrier, desperate to impress and can be more of a handful.”
Galthie, who is missing a host of regulars, including those from Top 14 finalists Toulouse and La Rochelle, has seven uncapped players in his squad, five on the bench.
They include Melvyn Jaminet, a fullback with no top-flight experience, with only winger Damian Penaud, centre Arthur Vincent and stand-in captain Anthony Jelonch remaining in the starting line-up from the last round of the Six Nations, a loss to Scotland in March.
MASSIVE CHALLENGE: Team manager and former captain Raphael Ibanez admited having such an inexperienced touring party was “a massive challenge”, but “we believe they have enough talent to match the best”.
“I know Australia want to play physical, fast and aggressive Rugby and we’ll be ready for that, we’re looking forward to this challenge as a team,” he added.
Despite being allowed to train during their lockdown, Ibanez said it had hampered their preparations, although Hooper saw it differently, suggesting it could work in France’s favour.