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Victory but much to do

Greg Growden Sydney | June 29, 2008

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 half that would have only distressed coach Robbie Deans.

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

But it was hardly a convincing or settled performance by the Wallabies, with further uncertainty brought about by No. 8 Wycliff Palu and winger Lote Tuqiri forced from the field through injury.

Classic performances among the Wallabies were rare, with inside centre Berrick Barnes and winger Peter Hynes among the few to be on top of their game for the whole Test. They were as adept in defence as in the wide-open spaces. Few other Wallabies could claim that.

The first half also did nothing to convince anyone that the long trek to Homebush Bay is a worthwhile exercise for NSW rugby fans.

Yet again in Sydney, a dwindling audience of 48,899 that is quickly losing patience with anything but Bledisloe Cup fixtures suffered another turgid first-half performance from the Wallabies. It wasn't quite as 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 that far behind, with the Wallabies struggling in the first 36 minutes to find any momentum, composure or rhythm. Some of it was dreadful, as the Wallabies were guilty early of flat-footed play, ill-directed passing that was often well behind the teammate, and general midfield indecision, which sometimes saw players running into each other.

Passes were often fumbled, even thrown over the sideline, and clearing kicks often didn't find their mark. No wonder the ground atmosphere was lacking.

One of numerous farcical moments occurred right on the half-time break when all full-back 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.

Instead Shepherd failed to find the line, enabling France to counter-attack, and from the next breakdown, get a penalty which gave the visitors an easy three points to be behind 10-6. That was a ridiculous moment, but it was just one of many where the Wallabies showed that while they may be willing to try something new, their level of talent still remains a long way from being acceptable.

The only players to stand up in the first half were winger Peter Hynes and Barnes, but all around them were players struggling to make an impact. Even Matt Giteau had his early off-moments at five-eighth, regularly guilty of creeping across-field. Just before half-time, Giteau redeemed himself 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 mindboggling.

And despite the huge pre-Test build-up, Lote Tuqiri had a night to forget. First his opposite Alexis Palisson sneaked past him, and shortly after, following a tackle, Tuqiri was seen hobbling. By the 28th minute, a knee complaint had him off, to be replaced by Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Thankfully it picked up in the second half, with home truths obviously being expressed in the dressing rooms, as the Wallabies got their act together immediately with forwards Nathan Sharpe and Rocky Elsom scoring respectively in the 42nd and 47th minute to put the Test beyond France's grasp.

This period of play had the desired effect of calming the Wallabies down, and from then on the standard improved considerably.