France name strong side

FRANCE are just behind the All Blacks in playing strength and Australian coach Greg Smith said yesterday he wants to model his side on French adventure and discipline.

The Wallabies have two internationals against the Five Nations champions over the next two weeks, and Smith said: "Australia will try to play the same way as the French do and we've just got to try and play it better than they do.

"I think they're right on the All Blacks' hammer. I think they're a great team.

"They're an attacking team, they try to score points - they're not out there trying to kick a few field goals. They're trying to score tries and they've got a penetrative game.

"All their backs are penetrative runners, they've got a very - big back row. They tend to avoid the lineouts. They tap and run, putting your defensive line under pressure all the time.

"There's a discipline in their game now. They're not just doing things ad-hoc now. They will be very tough to beat."

France have named a near Test-strength team for their second tour match against a weakened Australian Capital Territory XV in Sydney today.

The French are not taking the game lightly after Tuesday's 65-13 jog over Victoria, despite the ACT XV being depleted by the absence of nine Wallabies, including half-back George Gregan and winger Joe Roff, assistant tour coach Pierre Villepreux said.

The ACT Brumbies have an unbeaten record at Bruce Stadium in the two-year history of the Super 12 Southern Hemisphere provincial series.

Although the Brumbies squad was bolstered by recruits from New South Wales and Queensland club rugby, the ACT side also has an admirable record against touring international sides, including victories in the past three years against Wales, Ireland and Argentina.

France is not risking a morale-sapping loss before next week's first Test in Sydney and number eight Thomas Lievremont will be the sole uncapped player in the line-up.

Villepreux said French selectors now wanted to trial their strongest teams in the two remaining tour matches, one against ACT and the other against Queensland in Brisbane, before the opening international against the Wallabies on June 21st.