A second-half no-contest enabled the Wallabies to enjoy an easy win over France last night, but dampening it all was a dreadful first term that must have caused plenty of concern for coach Robbie Deans.

After showing off many of their bad habits early in the game, the Wallabies got their act together after the break, scoring three of their four tries to finish well ahead of an understrength opposition.

It was hardly a convincing or settled performance by the Wallabies, who will be further concerned about injuries to No.8 Wycliff Palu (shoulder) and winger Lote Tuqiri (knee), who were both forced from the field.

Deans chose to focus on the bright side of the victory, explaining there was "progress".

"It wasn't perfect, but we're heading in the right direction," he said. "We seemed a bit flustered on the ball. We were spilling ball we ordinarily wouldn't want to. But there was good spirit, and good patience in the second half."

Skipper Stirling Mortlock admitted it was a night of frustration.

"We'd give ourselves just above a pass mark for that one," he said. "We had a huge amount of possession, and it seemed as if we were a pass off from clicking, which is a little bit frustrating. Still, some of the defence in the second half was great."

Classic performances among the Wallabies were rare, with inside-centre Berrick Barnes and winger Peter Hynes among the few on top of their game for the whole Test.

The first half also did nothing to convince anyone that the lengthy trek to Homebush Bay is a worthwhile exercise. A dwindling audience of 48,899 that must be quickly losing patience with anything but Bledisloe Cup fixtures suffered another turgid first half.

It wasn't quite a bad as the 2006 Tri Nations shocker against the Springboks, when most of the crowd were seriously thinking of leaving at the break. But last night wasn't far behind, with the Wallabies struggling in the first 36 minutes to find any momentum, composure or rhythm.

The Wallabies were guilty early of flat-footed play, ill-directed passing, and general midfield indecision, which sometimes resulted in players running into each other. Passes were fumbled, even thrown over the sideline, and clearing kicks often didn't find their mark. No wonder the atmosphere was near non-existent.

Perhaps the Wallabies' worst moment occurred right on the half-time break when all fullback Cameron Shepherd had to do was kick it out so that everyone could head off for the dressing room and try to work out whether they were footballers or B-grade clowns.

But Shepherd failed to find the line, enabling France to counter-attack and get a penalty, giving them an easy three points to trail 10-6.

That was a ridiculous moment, but it was just one of many where the Wallabies showed while they may be willing to try something new, their skill level still isn't quite up to it.

Even Matt Giteau had his early off moments at five-eighth, regularly being guilty of creeping across field.

However, Giteau redeemed himself just before half-time when he decided to take on the French midfield defence, dummying a pass, and then straightening to score the opening try.

It was more relief than excitement which accompanied that try, because what the crowd had to suffer up to then was at times mind-boggling.

Tuqiri had a night to forget. First, his opposite Alexis Palisson snuck past him, and shortly after the Wallaby was sighted hobbling. By the 28th minute, a knee complaint led to him being replaced by Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Thankfully it picked up in the second half, with home truths obviously being expressed in the dressing room. Forwards Nathan Sharpe and Rocky Elsom scoring in the 42nd and 47th minute respectively to put the Test beyond France's grasp.

That period of play seemed to calm the Wallabies, and the standard improved considerably. It had to - it could not have got much worse.

The Wallabies' defence also picked up, especially close to their line when France tried to force their way over. They eventually succeeded in the 65th minute when Palisson squeezed over. But by this stage the Test match was only of passing interest.

AUSTRALIA 34 (Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom, Stirling Mortlock tries Giteau 4 cons, 2 pens) bt FRANCE 13 (Alexis Palisson try Francois Trinh-Duc con Dimitri Yachvili 2 pens) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Marius Jonker (Rsa). Crowd: 48,899.