• Written by Michael Knight
• Categories Rugby

Australia vs. France
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Kick-off: 8pm AEDT (9am GMT)
Rugby League World Cup Group A
Weather Forecast: Overcast, 16° at kick-off

The second round of matches in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup gets underway with Australia hosting France in a decisive rubber for the visitors. Nothing less than a victory will see them exit the tournament following the disastrous 18 – 29 defeat at the hands of Lebanon earlier this week.

How to Watch Australia v France Live Stream (click here)

AUSTRALIA LATEST NEWS
Ranked #1 in the world, the Kangaroos defeated England 18 – 4 in Melbourne last week but the match was closer than the scoreline suggests. Australia dominated the game but found themselves behind early on, and struggling to break down the solid visitors’ defense.As ever, the battering ram David Klemmer took his toll on England and the dam was broken; France is unlikely to put up as resolute an obstacle.

Mal Meninga, the Kangaroos coach, although pleased with the victory is ringing the changes, eight to the starting line-up. Lock forward Jake Trbojevic is out for the tournament with Josh McGuire replacing him. James Maloney comes in at halfback for Cooper Cronk, Josh Mansour and Tom Trbojevic patrol the wings while Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jordan McLean are props. Tyson Frizell and Wade Graham fill the back-row.Two debutants, Felise Kaufusi and Cameron Munster, will be on the bench alongside Klemmer and Aaron Woods.

FRANCE LATEST NEWS
Defeat to Lebanon was a crushing blow for France. It was the two points they needed to reach the quarter-finals. Now they face a Herculean task to achieve that aim.Les Chanticleers haven’t beaten Australia since 1978 nor won there since 1970. There’s little reason to believe that record will change in this fixture. While Lebanon essentially won thanks to the brilliance of Mitchell Moses as their creative heart, the Cedars were viewed as the group’s weakest team.

France, dogged in their determination, succumbed to a late scoring spurt by Moses. However, the pace of the French team and adventurous attack offers promise for the future. The latter is their weakness; too many risks were taken and possession readily ceded. The Kangaroos will need little encouragement to attack if France give the ball away too easily.
Minimal changes from Aurélien Cologni, with Olivier Arnaud coming in at centre, Remy Marginet at five-eighth, and Maxime Herold in the front row.

Australia v France Live Stream at bet365 (18+, T&C Apply)

HEAD-TO-HEAD

  Date             Competition         Home    Score      Away

• 07/11/2009     Four Nations      France 4 – 42 Australia
• 12/11/2005      Tri-Nations             France 12 – 44 Australia
• 21/11/2004      Tri-Nations             France 30 – 52 Australia
• 04/12/1994   Kangaroos Tour    France 0 – 74 Australia
• 06/07/1994    French Tour           Australia 58 – 0 France
• 18/12/1990    Kangaroos Tour    France 10 – 34 Australia

RECENT FORM (last six matches, most recent first)

• Australia: WWWWWW
• France: LLWLLW

MATCH EXPECTATIONS
The odds are overwhelmingly in Australia’s favor for this fixture. Unbeaten since 2015, defeating England – currently ranked second in the world – gave their already confident squad another boost.In making seven changes to their line-up, Mal Maninga is showing off the depth of talent available and managing his squad for the tougher challenges ahead.

France have nothing to lose here beyond their pride. Expect them to put up a hard-working performance but after spending the game chasing the ball, to be overwhelmed in the final quarter of the match.