Deans lauds Wallabies' defence
Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:19
Good one: Wallaby coach Robbie Deans wants to build a winning culture
Australia coach Robbie Deans was chuffed with his team's performance against a very physical French team, hailing the Wallabies' defensive effort as the best of his twenty-Test reign.
The well-earned win completed a perfect four-from-four Tri Nations preparation for the Wallabies following earlier wins over the Barbarians and twin successes against Italy.
Compared to the fifth-ranked French, though, the Baa Baas and Azzurri are two of world Rugby's lesser lights and the Wallabies were eager to step it up a notch ahead their Bledisloe Cup opener with the All Blacks in Auckland in three weeks' time.
They did just that, keeping Les Bleus - who were fresh off an impressive drawn series with the All Blacks in New Zealand - tryless to maintain their 18-year domination of France on Australian soil.
"The French are a capable side and we suppressed their opportunities and we did it in a way that was organised and positive and enthusiastic - and we sustained it," Deans said.
"So that's encouraging because we know from here we're going to get a serious test in the Tri Nations. The ante is going to go up.
"But it's been a solid month for us. It's been a really good background for us and that was a better than solid performance, to be fair.
"There were elements that we'd been working on that we had some visible growth - defence obviously, but also the way the boys played the 80.
"It was a full team effort. Everyone got involved in the game and added something, which is something we've been working hard at as well."
While ace playmaker Matt Giteau again grabbed most of the plaudits, champion flank George Smith - playing his record-equalling 11th Test against France and 99th in total - provided the inspiration for Australia's fourth straight win over Les Bleus.
Smith was in everything as the Australian pack more than matched the highly-rated French forwards to lay the platform for the Wallabies backs.
"He's a special player," Deans said.
"He's played 99 Tests, but you wouldn't think so watching him today. You'd think it was his first in terms of the enthusiasm that he brings to it."
With thanks to ARU
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