Hard luck. Hard lessons. Call it what you want, but Australia’s 31-33 loss to Ireland last weekend has to harden the Wallabies’ resolve to stop losing gallantly and find a ruthless edge. With one win from their past nine Tests and the threat of home World Cup humiliation looming in 14 months, honourable defeat and positive intent no longer cut it. They must beat France this Saturday in Brisbane or they risk losing everything.
Against the reigning Six Nations champions it won’t be easy. Dave Rennie’s All Blacks only narrowly overpowered a second-string France side 34-32 in Christchurch in the opening round of the Nations Championship. And although Les Bleus will be without their record-breaking winger Damian Penaud for this Test, Fabien Galthié’s world No 4 squad are welcoming back nine game-fit stars from the Top 14 final last week.
