Written by @QuintenLetcher for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Australia vs France | Saturday 14 June | Melbourne | 12:00
The Wallabies pulled off a compelling 27-point victory over the fumbling French in Brisbane last week, but with a full strength squad now available to Philippe Saint-Andre, a much more evenly-weighted contest inevitably awaits us in Melbourne this Saturday. The home side had the game all but wrapped up at half-time with a healthy 20-point lead, but came back after the interval to add insult to injury, chucking another 21-points on the board and finishing the game 50-23 with a phenomenal seven tries to the derisory two managed by an outclassed Les Bleus. Saturday’s clash now provides Ewen McKenzie the opportunity to achieve in just thirteen Tests what Robbie Deans failed to after 74 games at the helm; the relatively tame milestone of six consecutive Test wins. The French will prove a far tougher opponent this week, fuelled by pride and their desire to remain the least predictable professional sports side in the world.
To Win (80mins)
Australia 1/11
France 7/1
Draw 33/1
Handicaps
Australia (-16.5) 9/10
France (+16.5) 9/10
Australia
Ewen McKenzie has been forced to make three changes to his forward pack following injuries sustained in the opening clash last week. Ex-Wallaby skipper James Horwill returns to the second row to replace the sidelined Sam Carter, while current captain and Brumbies stalwart Stephen Moore’s unfortunate season-ending knee injury sees Tatafu Polota-Nau promoted to the run on side. Michael Hooper takes over the leadership this week in Moore’s absence, while at the back of the scrum Ben McCalman takes over from Wycliff Palu, who picked up an ankle injury last week.
France
As anticipated, Philippe Saint-Andre has named a side almost unrecognisable to the one slaughtered at Suncorp Stadium last week. Ten changes in all for the tourists, and understandably just two backline players from the first Test have managed to retain their spots in the run on side. Veteran flyhalf Frederic Michalak and scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud drop out to make way for the more effective half-back pairing of Remi Tales and Morgan Parra. In the midfield, the imposing Mathieu Bastareaud returns from his week off, as does fullback Brice Dulin. In the forwards, captain Thierry Dusautoir returns from a lengthy injury to start on the flank, while in the front row Philippe Saint-Andre has taken a bit of a gamble with both props, Rabah Slimani and Alexandre Manini, earning their first Test starts in Melbourne.
VERDICT: France (+16.5) 9/10
The French will inevitably make a gallant attempt to keep this three Test series alive, and with the dynamic Wesley Fofana still somehow managing to shine in last week’s dismal display I shudder to think of the atrocities that await the Wallabies with him surrounded by a more competent attack. If the Aussies can refrain from heading in overly confident they should manage to wrap the series up this week, but if they fail to give their opponents the respect they deserve this one could be going down to the wire.
