Wallabies expect trench warfare
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is expecting France to 'play out of their skins' when the two countries do battle on Armistice weekend in Paris.
Australia have been bouyed by their fighting draw with the All Blacks in Brisbane, and Deans knows that it will be key to carry that momentum into their first game on a tour which will also include Tests against England, Italy and Wales.
The Wallabies boss made it clear that he is under no illusions about how tough it will be to take the World Cup finalists on at home.
He told AAP: "The French have already expressed how important it is to them. We're playing on Armistice weekend, so history suggests they will play out of their skins on that basis.
"And it's our first outing so it's very important that we get off to a good start. If we do, it will be a real fillip for the group," said Deans.
The Wallabies face a number of crucial Tests on their tour which will have a huge bearing on their seeding for the 2015 World Cup, but Deans said that the squad is focused on their most immediate goal rather than the long term implications.
"That's the by-product – we won't be dwelling on that fact. In the background, I guess we're conscious of the fact it's an important stretch," he said.
Australia have not had an undefeated year-end tour since 1996 and Deans admitted that it would be a significant achievement ahead of the British Lions tour next year.
"It doesn't happen very often. That's obviously what we aspire to – we'll enter every Test looking to win it," he said.
