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Wallabies a benchmark for France

Friday 21st November 2008

Kingpin: Yannick Jauzion will marshal France's midfield

A more valuable cog in France machinery than Yannick Jauzion you will not find. On the eve of les Bleus clash with Australia the big centre spoke of his believe his country's current crop and the challenge posed by the Wallabies.

France have won both their November Tests so far, against Argentina and the Pacific Islanders, but failed to turn out convincing performances in either game. Jauzion believes that they will be faced with the best elements of both those teams combined at the Stade de France on Saturday.

"Australia is a mixture of the two teams we've just played, with a lot of aggression in the rucks and a well-oiled gameplan," Jauzion told the French media on Friday.

"One might believe that we know where they will attack, that they are predictable, but they do it at such speed and so rigorously that it will be difficult to defend."

"The Wallabies seldom leave themselves open. They occupy territory very well. Against them you've always got the impression that your stuck in you're own half."

"We'll have to be careful not to fall into their trap and use our possession properly, whether it's with ball in hand or kicking, so as not to put ourselves under pressure. We'll need to use more diversity in a moves.

"Obviously we have to be very strong in defence. Against Australia you always have a lot of work. I remember having to make something like 20 tackles in Marseilles in 2005. They're very good at wearing down their opponents.

"They often get past the first line of defence and in addition they very effective in support. In the rucks, thanks to players like Phil Waugh or George Smith who stay very low and are excellent at cleaning out. Hence the necessity for us to send them back in defence.

"The solution is to make them go backwards upon impact, put them under pressure. That would be ideal, but you must be able to do it..."

Jauzion agrees that this match will be a benchmark for this French team.

"Everything is just starting for this group," he said.

"There are new players, youngsters. Beating Australia will allow us to take a huge step forward. Our team has the capacity to beat the Australians, on condition that hit our straps."

In Stirling Mortlock Jauzion has a midfield adversary that he knows all too well, and respects even more.

"We know Mortlock. He's powerful but he always uses that power wisely," added the Toulouse centre.

"He's got a unique technique but he always finds a way to get over the advantage line.

"In their last two matches they used him a lot by letting him take on the mid-field to better allow his forwards to advance. He's an essential element in their team."