Australia coach Robbie Deans admitted that his side were second best in their heavy defeat against France in Paris.
The Wallabies conceded three tries, including a penalty try after their problems at the scrum continued.
"It was a very complete performance from the French. They were too good for us," said Deans.
"They grew in confidence. It was an arm wrestle for a bit, but they deserved their victory.
"Our set piece was part of the challenge and the effectiveness of the French around the contact meant we had no momentum, so when we tried to play to width in the second half, it was ineffective.
"In terms of the scrum, the French grew in confidence, just like their game. They started to play with a lot more exuberance and got in behind us."
France were particularly effective at the breakdown, forcing Australia into a number of costly errors when they were on the attack, a factor that limited the Wallabies to only six points.
"They stymied our momentum, we were unable to create any effective recycling of the ball and we turned over a lot of ball in the contact area," added Deans.
Fly-half Kurtley Beale admitted that Australia were perhaps too ambitious in their game plan, with Berrick Barnes steadying the ship after coming on as his replacement towards the end of the match.
"They were mentally ready for the match," said Beale.
"Their pack was tough and mobile. We held out but they wanted it more. They'd studied our gameplan well. We should have been more disciplined, played more intelligently, simply -- what the French did.
"We should have occupied more territory, as Michalak did. I think we tried to play too much."
Comments
ruckingkiwi says...
A pile of sh*t is still a pile of sh*t, whatever way you dress it up, Robbie.
Posted 19:56 13th November 2012
georgesmith says...
R. Deans is such a shameless Kiwi coach. He knows he has no answers and E. McKenzie is waiting on the wings. But still he won't let go.
Posted 00:20 13th November 2012
flatline says...
woeful. for the supposed no. 2 ranked team in the world that was abject. Deans has done a good job with limited resources but he cant coach hear and pride. the forwards should be embarrassed and, hopefully, should be fired up to give a better account of themselves next week. That wallaby roller coaster should now go up, coinciding with some some much needed replacements. against all logic, i'm going for a hard fought wallaby win at Twickers.
Posted 11:51 12th November 2012
Waz4before says...
Deans has a real dilemma - he's now got to win to save his job (surely) and must pull at least one win out of the bag against England or Wales whilst avoiding defeat to Italy. I totally agree with the sentiment of beware the wounded wallaby but even so, it's hard to see where Oz are going to find the quality to win - especially with a scrum that has more reverse gears than an Italian Army Tank!!
Posted 09:28 12th November 2012
melkdave says...
To be fair to Australia and Deans ,i would be surprised if the scrum falls apart to the same extent for the rest of the tour.It did after all stand up well against the bokke ,pumas and ABs in the recent RC.Wallabies will be a different animal this comming weekend against England.still expect England to win though by 9-12 points.
Posted 09:03 12th November 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
Robbie - You won't find answers in Aussie. Come home. All is forgiven.
Posted 06:20 12th November 2012
StunTheMullet says...
Ahh a Stunned Dingo.
Must have been hit on the noggin by some cuisses de grenouilles and about to get a follow up from some Morris Dancers.
Posted 05:35 12th November 2012
Patagon says...
Never under estimate a wounded Aussie team (even the B team).
Look at what happened to the Pumas in Argentina a month ago. They were "clear favorites" against an Australia team B (nearly all Planet Rugby pundits, journos, polls and the comments from this section were saying it).
England, the press will tell you the same thing again until the match, but beware.
Posted 21:41 11th November 2012
Isograford says...
Other than people in the Canterbury region who are as one eyed as fans can get, it should be known the rest of New Zealand long had suspicions that as a coach Deans was a Flat Track Bully.
A Monkey could have coached that AB laden Crusaders side to titles when he did.
Posted 21:34 11th November 2012
Flyman says...
What? No commentary from TriNuts!
Posted 20:11 11th November 2012
carpelone says...
They can well lose to England and Italy as well.
Posted 16:29 11th November 2012
new_j4a says...
That is an accurate assessment from both Beale and Deans....a good step towards rectifying the problems and returning to the irb #2 spot. To be fair, France would have easily beaten the Boks had they both played the same game and I think Oz may have edged the Boks had that been the match up yesterday. France is world class when they show up and get their tails up....the only thing they lack is consistency.
Posted 13:40 11th November 2012
scrumpoacher says...
The team selection was all wrong from the start. Barnes and Moore should have started and Harris should be benched Permanently! Deans I have given you the benefit of the doubt for too long-please leave...
Posted 13:27 11th November 2012
Trinats2 says...
Toxic ?
Posted 11:43 11th November 2012