Race to fitness for French stars

 

Team officials said lock Yoann Maestri and prop Nicolas Mas, who is on the bench after captaining the tourists in the opening Test, are also in doubt as France seek their first win in Australia since 1990.

 

Maestri pulled out of training early on Thursday with a left knee injury.

 

Several minutes later Bastareaud also had to call a halt with a groin problem.

 

Parra got through training but did not join in the goalkicking practice at the end of the session.

 

The influential 25-year-old scrum-half is carrying an ankle injury, a team spokesman said.

 

It will be left until Saturday match morning to decide if the three run-on players are fit to start.

 

Mas, 34, was excused training on Wednesday and Thursday after complaining of migraines and is considered to be exhausted.

 

Thomas Domingo is expected to replace him.

 

France lost the first Test in Brisbane 50-23 conceding seven tries and last weekend a new-look team prevented any Wallaby tries and went down 6-0 in a dour kicking struggle.