Australia squeezed the life from France. Ben Tune's try in the 66th minute owing so much to good work by Horan and the substitute Owen Finegan. Finegan rounded off the day in style, blasting in from 20 metres in the fifth minute of injury time. Christophe Lamaison's four penalty goals kept French hopes kindling. Lamaison never managed to find an assured partnership with his scrum-half, Fabien Galthi , who had a hesitant afternoon.
Defence is the monster of the age.
Master that beast and you can roam rugby's heartlands without fear of being seriously challenged. Australia do have attacking talent, and they do have a quick-fire ability to recyle in certain situations, but their hallmark is their sternness in the tackle. But let's not begrudge them for that. This is a fine, well-organised, hearty and matey Australian side. They are not yet a great side but may develop that way in the next couple of years if they can slip the blinkers occasionally and go for broke.