Yachvili defends French rookies
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:22
Scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili, playing in his 36th Test Saturday against Australia, has defended many of his fellow France backs who are about to appear in their first.
Yachvili and veteran center Damien Traille, who has 63 caps, are the only two French backs with international reputations heading into the match at the former Olympic stadium.
In contrast, the Wallabies have test stalwarts like skipper Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, and Lote Tuqiri, who have 171 caps between them plus two Rugby World Cup campaigns each.
The trio of Mortlock, Giteau and Tuqiri alone represents six times the Test experience of little-known French halfbacks Pepito Elhorga, Alexis Palisson, Francois Trinh-Duc, Benjamin Thiery and Benjamin Boyet.
But Yachvili, on his fourth visit to Australia, said the French rookies have talent and plenty of speed, particularly fullback Elhorga, and cautioned the Wallabies against underestimating them.
"Although they are not very known internationally, in our championship - this is not the best championship in the world - but they are good players, they have many qualities and I hope they show us and show you on Saturday," Yachvili said.
"They all deserve to play for the French team. Not just one player, but many players with promise, and this is a good opportunity to show their qualities."
Yachvili admitted the Wallabies were still favorites in the match.
"They are a very big team. I think they are one of the best teams in the world, actually, so it's going to be very tough, very hard," he said.
"But we will try and do the best we can to beat them."
Australia is playing its second test under new coach Robbie Deans following the team's 18-12 win two weeks ago over Ireland.
SAPA
