I am sure there was a huge sigh of relief when the final whistle blew after the game between Australia and Italy.

Australia won comfortably although 34-12 indicated that the Italians played much better that the previous week.

Confidence boost

The Wallabies fielded an inexperienced team - stalwarts such as Giteau, Mortlock, Sharpe, Moore, Baxter, Ashley- Cooper and Brown were left out of their starting team.

I thought it was a great confidence boost to these young players that Robbie Deans was still able to record a win. If we are to win the next RWC in New Zealand, we will need 30 players of test match ability.

The Aussie effort

There were patches of the match where the Wallabies appeared rudderless and devoid of penetration against an Italian team that showed some resolve and attacking flair.

The azurri back line even made a few incisions in the Australian defence particularly around the mid field, which we might expect to be much tighter once the combination of Giteau and Barnes are back together.

The lineout throwing of Tatafu Polota-Nau left a lot to be desired. His work at the scrums as well as his work rate around the field is first class but his throwing will always ensure that he will be a bench player and not a starter.

Where's the counter attack?

Another thing that disappointed me and was mentioned by the Fox commentary team was the lack of counter attack by the Australian backs. This game was a perfect opportunity to get the back three in unison, running the ball back at the Italians as much as possible.

After the game Robbie Deans was asked what policy the Wallaby backs had on counter attacking and his answer was that they had his blessing to run the ball back. It is amazing what confidence does to you, because in the second half when the Italians where putting pressure on the Wallabies, the green and gold resorted to the NSW mentality and kicked the leather off the ball.

It was a key opportunity to get their act together and they let it slip a little. Skills coach Richard Graham will need to work at this part of the Wallabies game if they are to become the great team that we know they can be.

Trans-Tasman test

Now for the French! At last they have toured with a team that is the best they can put on the field, and by the way they played against the Kiwis over the last couple of weeks we are in for a real battle when they arrive on Australian soil.

The Froggies are strong right across the board. If we thought the Italians were tough up front, let me tell you that was nothing compared to what we will face this Saturday in Sydney.

Our preparation has been a bit scratchy with games against second-rate opposition like the Barbarians and the Italians. Have we done enough to get combinations throughout our squad to master the French?

Looking ahead to the match

Obviously the players mentioned earlier will come back into the starting line up to give the Wallabies the much needed grunt to compete at the breakdown and in the back, areas where the French will no doubt try to dominate.

It will be interesting to see who starts at 15 for the Wallabies with wonder kid James O’Connor or Adam Ashley-Cooper the main contenders.

I would go for Ashley-Cooper who is at this stage a more solid player than O’Connor, both in attack and defence. The French will kick plenty of high balls with big centers putting pressure on the catcher, so that position needs to be rock solid. There will be plenty of time for our 18 year old prodigy.

We have come a long way in terms of our forward strength in set piece and ruck and maul, but after two extreme games in awful conditions, the French will be relishing the chance to beat Australia on their home soil.

They have already considered this tour successful, with one win and a narrow loss against the Kiwis, but they'll be just as eager to beat the Wallabies and claim bragging rights for the next year. It might finally put a rest to talk about their inability to win in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around RWC time.

I am sure that Robbie and his coaching team will have a close look at the recent Kiwi games across the ditch and pick our best team, the team confident and capable enough to beat the French.