France's rugby team is in a state of flux as they prepare for their upcoming match against Australia. The team has undergone significant changes, with seven new players being introduced to the starting side, and a key positional switch involving star playmaker Matthieu Jalibert moving to fullback. This move is intriguing, as Jalibert has never played in this position for France before, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the team's performance.
The announcement comes as France seeks to recover from a disappointing loss to New Zealand in their previous match. The team is also dealing with injury concerns, particularly regarding Jalibert, who has been missing training sessions due to a calf niggle. Despite this, Galthie remains optimistic, stating that Jalibert will have a full test during the captain's run at the stadium, and the decision on his availability will be made based on his performance.
If Jalibert is ruled out, La Rochelle's Antoine Hastoy is likely to step in and start instead. The team also features several players who were part of the Top 14 final between Toulouse and Montpellier, including hooker Peato Mauvaka, who scored twice. Mauvaka is joined by Montpellier's Florian Verhaeghe and Toulouse's Emmanuel Meafou in the second row, adding further depth to the team.
The absence of Damian Penaud, France's record try-scorer, is also a significant loss. Penaud was injured during the match against New Zealand and has returned home, leaving a void in the team's attacking prowess. The team's replacements include Maxime Lamothe, Jefferson Poirot, Tevita Tatafu, Hugo Auradou, Tom Staniforth, Killian Tixeront, Nolann Le Garrec, and Kalvin Gourgues, providing a strong bench for potential game-changing moments.
The match against Australia is set to take place on Saturday, July 11, at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. With the team in a state of flux and several key players missing, France will need to adapt quickly and make the most of their available resources to secure a victory. The referee for the match is Karl Dickson from England, with Christophe Ridley and Katsuki Furuse as assistant referees, and Andrew Jackson as the TMO. The match promises to be a challenging and exciting encounter, with France's ability to adapt and overcome adversity being a key factor in their success.
