Les Blues do their nation proud
against Kangaroos

A young, and relatively inexperience French side has held their head high against the Australian Kangaroos, only going down 34 ? 10 despite limited preparation and being against a far more professional outfit in front of a near sell out crowd of 7,813 at Stade Albert Domec ? Carcassonne.

The Australian?s who fielded a side which will possibly be very different from the one that takes the field against the Lions looked in control for most of the match, but it didn?t stop the determined French from showing that they are a nation on the rise.

France only score through penalties in the first half, with halfback Julien Rinaldi kicking two from two to put the Les Blues behind by eight at the break. Australia had scored twice thanks to Michael Crocker and Matt Sing.

Julien Rinaldi scored the Les Blues only try in the second half whilst the Australian?s scored four more tries with Michael Crocker and Matt Sing collecting their second, fullback Anthony Minichiello get one on the board together with Panther Trent Waterhouse.

Those who feel that the Australians took the game easily only had to see the match or even listen to the players after the game. They said they wanted to play their best football and put on a huge score against the French select side to get both the media pressure off them and build some confidence. The French however had different ideas and looked the best select side for about 20 years.

AUSTRALIAN KANGAROOS 34 Tries: Michael Crocker 2, Matt Sing 2, Anthony Minichiello, Trent Waterhouse Goals: Michael De Vere 5 from 6 Team: Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters), Luke Lewis (Penrith Panthers), Shannon Hegarty (Sydney Roosters), Michael De Vere (Brisbane Broncos), Matt Sing (North Queensland Cowboys), Craig Wing (Sydney Roosters), Craig Gower (Penrith Panthers), Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane Broncos), Michael Crocker (Sydney Roosters), Robbie Kearns (Melbourne Storm, Capt), Willie Mason (Bulldogs), Trent Waterhouse (Penrith Panthers), Phil Bailey (Cronulla Sharks); Subs: Joel Clinton (Penrith Panthers), Shane Webcke (Brisbane Broncos), Richard Villasanti (Warriors) & Brett Kimmorley (Cronulla Sharks). defeated FRENCH SELECTION 10 Tries: Julien Rinaldi Goals: Julien Rinaldi 3 from 3 Team: Julien Gerin (Toulouse), Dimitri Pelo (Cronula Sharks), Sylvain Houles (Wakefield), Teddy Saddaoui (Carcassonne), Fr?d?ric Zitter (Toulouse), Fr?d?ric Banquet (Carcassonne), Julien Rinaldi (UTC), Olivier Pramil (Toulouse), C?dric Gay (Toulouse), J?r?me Guisset ? (Warrignton), Daniel Dumas (Cronula Sharks), Djamel Fakir (UTC), John Vaigafa (Limoux); Subs: Artie Shead (Toulouse), Pierre Sabatie (Villeneuve 13), Abde El Kalouki (Villefranche), Marc Faumuina (Villefranche)

Venue: Stade Albert Domec (Carcassonne) Crowd: 7,813 Date: Sat Oct 25 7.30pm Referee: Richard Frileux Half time: Australia 12 - 4