Six Nations champions France, looking to restore their reputation, have made six changes to their line-up for Saturday's second Test against Australia, who themselves have made two injury-enforced changes.
< France ring changes to stop rot
Six Nations champions France, looking to restore their reputation, have made six changes to their line-up for Saturday's second Test against Australia, who themselves have made two injury-enforced changes.
Hooker Brendan Cannon and No 8 David Lyons take the place of the injured Jeremy Paul and Toutai Kefu in the world champions Wallaby lineup.
Paul has rib cartilage problems while Tefu underwent an operation on a broken hand on Tuesday.
There are also two newcomers on the replacements bench with ACT Brumbies lock Daniel Vickerman and Queensland hooker Sean Hardman.
The Wallabies are looking to wrap up a series win after winning a disappointing first Test 29-17 in Melbourne last Saturday.
France coach Bernard Laporte has wielded the axe, including making four changes to the pack, in a bid to give the world champions a better run for their money.
France have not won in Australia for 12 years and are facing a hat-trick of defeats following their surprise loss to Argentina a fortnight ago which brought to an end their eight match-winning run.
Laporte has rested highy-rated flanker Olivier Magne to get another look at Sebastien Chabal in view of the 2003 World Cup.
"We decided to have another look at Sebastien Chabal who was injured in Argentina," he said. "Olivier Magne will come on for the last 25 or 30 minutes."
Hooker Raphael Ibanez returns and also reclaims the captaincy from lock Fabien Pelous.
Loosehead prop Jean-Jacques Crenca replaces Arnaud Martinez and Olivier Brouzet is in for lock Christophe Porcu.
Gerald Merceron regains the fly-half spot while Federic Michalak, who also plays some of his club rugby at outside-half, stays at scrum-half where he is being groomed to replace veteran captain Fabien Galthie.
Nicolas Brusque is the new full-back with Pepito Elhorga moving to the wing replace the injured Nicolas Jeanjean.
Australia: Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Matt Burke, Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (capt), David Lyons, George Smith, Owen Finegan, Justin Harrison, Nathan Sharpe, Patricio Noriega, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young
Replacements: Sean Hardman, Rod Moore, Daniel Vickerman, Mattain, Chris Whitaker, Elton Flatley, Mat Rogers
France: Nicolas Brusque, Aurelien Rougerie, Tony Marsh, Damien Traille, Pepito Elhorga, Gerald Merceron, Federic Michalak, Imanol Harinordoquy, Sebastien Chabal, Serge Betsen, Olivier Brouzet, Fabien Pelous, Sylvain Marconnet, Raphael Ibanez (capt), Jean Jacques Crenca
Replacments: Olivier Azam, Jean Baptiste Poux, Christophe Porcu, Olivier Magne, Pierre Mignoni, Yannick Jauzion, Cedric Heymans
Referee: Paul Honnis (Nzl)