THAT'S more like it. The Wallabies, inspired by an exceptional performance from five-eighth Matt Giteau, last night enjoyed their biggest win over France when they obliterated the visitors in the Second Test.
In easily their best performance since the arrival of coach Robbie Deans, a better-balanced line-up provided lengthy stanzas of inspirational play interspersed by their trademark impregnable defence.
They finished with four tries, which saw them eclipse their previous best result over France, the 1999 World Cup final which they won 35-12 in Cardiff.
The only blemishes were injuries to James Horwill (eye) and Berrick Barnes (shoulder), which prompted both to head to hospital for scans. Cameron Shepherd also had to be stretchered from the ground at full-time after suffering a broken leg.
And the difference was Giteau. He had a near-perfect game, being involved in all four Australian tries and kicking everything on offer, while showing creativity and inventiveness in midfield.
It was one of his best performances in the Australian jersey, and was so far ahead of everyone else that he would have been the man-of-the-match choice of every one of the 40,218 spectators.
This was the night when Giteau really stood up and showed that Australia have someone who can fill the large void left by the departure of Stephen Larkham.
He was also crucial in ensuring the match was so much better than last week.
The first half of the first Test was forgettable - embarrassing, even. In contrast, the first half of the second Test was eventful, fiery, fierce and involved numerous examples of flashy play.
There was even a bit of biff just before the break which enlivened the crowd when the Wallabies' aggressive second rower Horwill rushed in to break up a scuffle, only to be belted by French No. 8 Imanol Harinordoquy.
As Horwill ducked into the fray, Harinordoquy hit him with several devastating uppercuts, which gave him an immediate black and bleeding eye.
New Zealand referee Paul Honiss finally re-established peace, and as he beckoned Horwill in with skipper Stirling Mortlock, he could not avoid the fact that the Queensland skipper was somewhat worse for wear.
After cautioning players, Honiss looked at Horwill and said to Mortlock: "It looks like he needs attention on the sideline." Mortlock struggled to stop laughing.
It wasn't surprising that the game erupted as the French were quickly getting irritated by being penalised out of the game. The Wallabies were able to gain their footing, and push well ahead through a succession of penalties, as the French were often guilty of either holding onto the ball at the breakdown or for offside indiscretions.
Most of the shots were difficult, but Giteau's radar was immediately on song in an outstanding first half.
Giteau's involvement in Australia's second try ensured it will often be seen on a season highlights reel.
He charged headlong into the French midfield defence and somehow leaped and swivelled his way out of trouble, before producing a sensational backhand pass to put Horwill away.
But this was only one of several excellent Giteau moments, with his clever interchanging with inside centre Barnes causing enormous problems for the French defence. And his midfield kicking was first rate.
Giteau, who was off his game in Sydney, was also instrumental in Australia's first try.
Noticing the French back line had all crept into midfield, he suddenly chipped to the far wing, where all Peter Hynes had to do was catch it and skip over the line.
The composure shown by the Wallabies before the break was a marked improvement from last week when they often played like strangers. Last night, it was far more comfortable, enabling them to have the Test won well before half-time.
AUSTRALIA 40 (Ryan Cross 2, Peter Hynes, James Horwill tries; Matt Giteau 4 cons, 4 pens) bt FRANCE 10 (Francois Trinh-Duc try; Dimitri Yachvili con, Trinh-Duc pen) at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Referee: Paul Honiss (NZ). Crowd: 40,218.
