When Australia play France there are always fireworks. The tempo was set in the very first Test in 1928 when French prop Jean Morere headbutted Jim Tancred and was left-hooked by NSW flanker Bluey Greatorex. After their next encounter in 1948, “one hundred infuriated spectators rushed on the field, hit the referee and threw mud at him”. In 1967, captain John Thornett told the referee his side would walk-off “if you don’t stop the Frenchmen kicking us”. In 1997, No 8 Troy Coker was asked why he punched Fabian Pelous. “What are you supposed to do when a guy has his fingers buried up to the second knuckle in your eye socket?”
With the last five Tests between these nations decided by three points or less (29-26 in 2014, 25-23 in 2016, and 23-21, 28-26, 33-30 in 2021) this 51st face-off between Les Bleus – the No 2 side in the world – and the Wallabies at Stade de France this weekend is already a powder keg.
