French 'upstart' wins duel with Tuqiri
Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:31
Confident young French wing Alexis Palisson had the last laugh over his more experienced and bigger rival Lote Tuqiri as a depleted French team went down 13-34 to the Wallabies in Sydney at the weekend.
The 20-year-old lightweight Brive rookie raised eyebrows in the lead-up to the Sydney international when he declared his intention to surprise 60-Test veteran Tuqiri on his Test debut.
The Wallabies scoffed at the French 'upstart', who was conceding 28 kilograms (62 pounds) in weight and 16 centimetres (six inches) in height and was embarking on his first Test, while Tuqiri has played international rugby since 2003.
"He [Tuqiri] is not always attentive around the ruck. I hope to get the chance to surprise him," Palisson said.
"On video we have seen that Tuqiri is also less attentive to the kicking game behind his back."
Palisson, who took only 10 matches in France's Top 14 league this year to convince national coach Marc Lievremont that he was good enough to start for France, made an immediate impact, skipping past Tuqiri in the sixth minute and darting up the sideline with his first touch of the ball.
He finished with a determined try on his Test debut carrying the tackle of heavyweight Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock over the try-line near the end in France's loss to the Wallabies.
While Palisson was one of the few shining lights for the second-string French, who left behind most of their best players for the domestic championship play-offs, it was a dire night for the high-profile Tuqiri.
Tuqiri dropped several balls and failed to finish the match, limping off with a knee injury in the 29th minute after coming off second best to a crunching Sebastien Chabal tackle.
Palisson showed enough on the right wing to suggest he possesses a maturity beyond his years to back up his blistering pace and self-confidence.
"There was some satisfaction [from the defeat] in the courage and the hard work of a young player like Palisson, he tried very hard the whole game," Lievremont said.
Lievremont said he would not to alter his team much for the second Test in Brisbane next Saturday.
One definite change will be a new fullback with Pepito Elhorga dislocating his right shoulder during the first half, while tight-head prop Lionel Faure is in doubt with a twisted knee.
"Unfortunately, there is only one week before the next Test and less time for recuperation," Lievremont said.
"We showed that we need to play more together and there won't be too many changes in the team for next week.
"The Wallabies always have the same qualities. They always go forward and they are good in the contact and when they are on the roll they are right at the top of rugby.
"There are a lot of sore players in the change room, the Wallabies are very physical and rock-solid."
France have not won in Australia since their 28-19 victory in Sydney in 1990 four tours ago.
AFP
