France vs Australia Predictions - Aussies can challenge French

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 24 Aug 2023

Ralph Staniforth 24 Aug 2023

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Watch France vs Australia in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match on Sunday (17:45 SAST)
Australia have won their last 3 games
Can Australia cause a major shock ahead of the World Cup?

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Australia backed in handicap market (Getty images)

France vs Australia Preview

Australia took France to the wire at the end of 2022 so despite their poor form, the Wallabies are capable of a big performance. They also lost by just three points to New Zealand last time out.

France vs Australia Preview
Head to Head
France Form
France Injuries & Team News
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News

With it being a warm-up and both teams likely to test combinations later in the game, I am backing the visitors to get within the 13-point handicap.

France have won 2 of their last 3 matches against Australia.
France have won 6 of their last 8 matches.
Australia have lost their last 4 matches in 2023.

Head to Head

France and Australia have won three each of their last six encounters. They last met in November 2022 where the French narrowly won 30-29 after Australia built a big lead.

France Form

France finished second behind Ireland in the 2023 Six Nations, losing only away to the champions. With the World Cup on home soil this year, France are under big pressure to perform.

The French are the favourites alongside New Zealand to win the World Cup. Their warm-up games have gone well thus far. They lost 25-21 in Scotland with a second-string side before beating the same opposition 30-27 at home the following week.

Last weekend France defeated Fiji 34-17 at home. They again rested numerous players as the injury fears grow ahead of the World Cup.

France Injuries & Team News

France have little option but to play a full-strength side. This is their final match before meeting New Zealand in the World Cup opener.

Australia Form

Australia have been woeful for a few years now, and this year they have yet to win a game. They lost all three Rugby Championship matches in South Africa and at home to New Zealand and Argentina.

The Wallabies then put up their best performance yet against the All Blacks in the second Bledisloe Cup test, losing 23-20 in Auckland. It was a performance that will give the squad and supporters hope ahead of the World Cup.

But this weekend will prove key against the hosts of the tournament. Another strong showing will put the Wallabies back on the map.