Wallabies dazed by dazzling French

Les Bleus spoil Gregan's party

Australia's tour of Europe got off to a stuttering start as they felt the full force of dazzling France, going down 26-16 at Marseille's Stade Vélodrome on Saturday night.

The Wallabies' stock in world rugby has plummeted following their disappointing Tri-Nations campaign this summer and they suffered at the hands of the French, whose combination of breathtaking back-play and power in the pack proved too much for their opponents.

Led by the impish half-back pairing of Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Frédéric Michalak, Les Bleus scored two tries -- through Cédric Haymans and Rémy Martin -- and displayed an unswerving work ethic in defence to restrict Australia to just three penalties from the boot of Mat Rogers and a last-gasp touchdown by substitute Drew Mitchell.

France, who went into the interval with just a one-point advantage at 10-9 could even cope with forced withdrawal of Michalak through injury at the start of the second half as Elissalde took over kicking duties to bag himself 11 points.

The result means Australia have lost their last six internationals, while for George Gregan, the veteran scrum-half, it was a disappointing way to celebrate a record-breaking 115th Test appearance.

A sumptuous passage of play involving Toulouse quartet Michalak, Yannick Jauzion, Cédric Heymans and Yannick Nyanga was an early sign of things to come for Australia as France demonstrated a willingness to run at their opponents from anywhere.

Michalak booted over his side's first points with a penalty in the eighth minute but the Wallabies restored parity through Rogers' three-pointer six minutes later.

The mercurial Michalak was wayward with a straightforward penalty moments later before a Nyanga try in the right corner was disallowed after the rampaging flanker was adjudged to have been offside when Elissalde fired over a bomb to the wing.

France were the more dangerous in the opening 20 minutes and it came as no surprise when they went over for the first try in the 25th minute.

It owed much to guile and fleet of foot of Michalak, whose jinking run was ended five yards out.  The ball was slow to be recycled but Elissalde found Heymans cutting in and the winger galloped over beneath the posts.

The conversion was added but the deficit was reduced immediately through Rogers' second penalty.

A third soon followed on the stroke of half-time to make it 10-9, although Australia may have been hoping for more a minute earlier when Morgan Turinui and Rogers linked well on the left before the move was brought to a shuddering halt by France centre Florian Fritz.

The lively Rogers again came close to going over at the start of second half after a bullocking charge but with the French defence in disarray as a result, Brendan Cannon knocked on just five yards out.

Michalak, who had been a thorn in Australia's side in the first half, was forced off with a shoulder injury in the 46th minute after he felt the full force of a crunching Mark Chisholm hit.

Castres' Yann Delaigue was drafted on as his replacement but it did not disrupt Les Bleus' rhythm as they increased their lead, first via Elissalde's penalty and then through Martin's try in the 51st minute.

The Stade Français flanker charged down a Matt Giteau kick before Fritz was dragged down a yard out after chasing the loose ball.

Martin followed up, however, to gather and ground in one movement, with Elissalde providing the conversion.

Elissalde made it 23-9 on the hour mark with a superbly-struck penalty from the right touchline and another in the 72nd minute added gloss to the scoreline.

Substitute Mitchell's converted injury-time try following good work by full-back Chris Latham blotted France's copybook but the win for the hosts was never in doubt.

Australia face England at Twickenham next Saturday before playing against Ireland and Wales.

France will host Canada next Saturday in Nantes before taking on Tonga in Toulouse and South Africa at the Stade de France on successive weekends.

Man of the match:  The Wallabies were committed to a man, and the likes of Chris Latham and Lote Tuqiri showed their usual commitment to the cause.  But this award must go to a Frenchman.  Cédric Heymans was effective, Yannick Jauzion clever, Frédéric Michalak magical and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde determined and resourceful.  But our choice is the obscenely athletic Yannick Nyanga -- the industrious young flank has a massive future ahead of him.

Moment of the match:  So many brilliant moments from both sides, but the sight of both teams -- and a marching band -- being soaked by an impromptu appearance of the sprinklers will live long in the mind!  Imagine what these two teams could have produced on a dry track?  But the show was stolen by the build up to Cédric Heymans's try -- a superlative piece of play.  Great hands, great vision, great natural ability and Freddy's dancing feet!  A mention, too, for the rapturous welcome received by Thomas Castaignède on his return to the Test stage.

Villain of the match:  The hectic pace meant that there wasn't time for too much funny business, but Brendon Cannon still managed to open his face on the outstretched elbow of Fabien Pelous.  We'll leave the citing commissioners to decide whether it was malicious or not, and leave this gong on ice for the moment.  But don't expect to see the French skipper in his rugby kit for about four to six weeks.

The scorers:

For France:
Tries:  Heymans, Martin
Cons:  Elissalde 2
Pens:  Elissalde 3, Michalak

For Australia:
Try:  Mitchell
Cons:  Rogers
Pen:  Rogers

The teams:

France:  15 Julien Laharrague, 14 Aurélien Rougerie, 13 Florian Fritz (Thomas Castaignède, 63), 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Cédric Heymans, 10 Frédéric Michalak (Yann Delaigue, 46) , 9 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 8 Rémy Martin, 7 Thomas Lièvremont (Sébastien Chabal, 75), 6 Yannick Nyanga, 5 Jérôme Thion, 4 Fabien Pelous (Lionel Nallet, 67), 3 Pieter de Villiers, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski (Sébastien Bruno, 60), 1 Olivier Milloud (Sylvain Marconnet, 68).
Unused:  19 Grégory Lamboley

Australia:  15 Chris Latham, 14 Wendell Sailor, 13 Lote Tuqiri (Lloyd Johansson, 59), 12 Morgan Turinui, 11 Mat Rogers, 10 Matt Giteau (Drew Mitchell, 63), 9 George Gregan (Chris Whitaker, 74), 8 George Smith, 7 Phil Waugh, 6 Rocky Elsom (John Roe, 60), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Mark Chisholm (Hugh McMeniman, 63), 3 Al Baxter, 2 Brendan Cannon (Stephen Moore, 59), 1 Matt Dunning (Greg Holmes, 80).

Referee:  Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Touch judges:  Kelvin Deaker and Lyndon Bray (both New Zealand)
Television match official:  Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)