Stephen Larkham: '...This taxi's mine...'
The last seven days under old laws. Hardly ideal preparation for the Wallabies, who must quickly turn their attention back towards the ELVs for the impending Tri-Nations.
Why oh why do the Federation Francaise de Rugby insist the Top 14 runs deep into June? Poor Marc Lievremont is getting the fairest of runs at the top job. A heavy defeat in Sydney and the the current French coach could be marginalised completely.
Robbie Deans' tenure began with an unconvincing display against the Irish albeit 'Dingo's' entrance examination was ultimately undermined by the rule changes.
Australia can expect a bit more freedom to express themselves against the French as Les Bleus will too ship the ball around and exercise the mobility of an athletic back-row. However, with a back-row including Messrs Palu, Elsom and ball burglar George Smith, the French could quite easily be playing into the Wallaby fly-trap.
Francois Trinh-Duc gets the baptism of fire at outside centre, taking on Sitrling Mortlock, and the Franco-Vietnemese young pup will need all of Damien Traille's experience inside him to release the burgeoning brilliance of Alexis Palisson.
Palisson has laid down the gauntlet to the world's form wing in Lote Tuqiri, which is commendable considering he is a novice at 20 and just 11 games in the Top 14 for Brive. Still should be something worth watching if the contest becomes slightly one sided as expected.
Humiliation is something both sides are used too. Australia and France are both still hurting from back-to-back World Cup heartbreaks against the English, but this is a new era - new coaches, fresh faces, change in attitudes.
28th June 1919, The Treaty of Versailles was signed, punishing Germany both territorialy and financially for its role in the First World War, but while territory and finance have been central issues in the build-up for Saturday's game, war is definitely written on the agenda.