France are looking for a face-saving series-leveling win against the Wallabies with massive team changes for the second Test in Melbourne tomorrow.
Coach Philippe Saint-Andre reacted to last week’s 50-23 hammering in Brisbane by making 10 changes, including the return of skipper Thierry Dusautoir and powerhouse center Mathieu Bastareaud.
Saint-Andre said the tourists were “ashamed” and mentally scarred by their seven-try trouncing which kept France without a win in Australia for 24 years.
Saint-Andre is expecting a big reversal in form from his team against the Wallabies, who have made three injury-enforced changes to their starting XV.
“We were all ashamed, going down by 27 points is never pleasant. There have been talks because that game left physical and mental scars,” he said. “We have prepared ourselves for a big game.”
Much will rest on the inspirational leadership of Dusautoir and the thrust of Bastareaud.
Dusautoir won the 2011 player of the year award for an inspirational display in Les Bleus’ 8-7 World Cup final loss to the All Blacks in New Zealand, but he has struggled to reach full fitness after a bicep injury.
Former Australia captain Stirling Mortlock said Bastareaud is a dangerous addition to the France backline.
“He is one of the most physically dominant gain-line yardage makers in world rugby ... and with Wesley Fofana at inside-center they will be a totally different midfield and a significantly tougher job to mark,” Mortlock said.
France halves Maxime Machenaud and Frederic Michalak have been replaced by the more mobile Morgan Parra and Remi Tales, who played together in last year’s November Tests.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has made three injury-enforced changes and named flanker Michael Hooper as captain. Hooker Stephen Moore (knee), lock Sam Carter (ankle) and back-row forward Wycliff Palu (ankle) are out.
Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau replaces Moore, lock James Horwill comes in for Carter and Western Force workhorse Ben McCalman is to wear the No. 8 jersey.
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Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter is being criminally investigated by the IRS, and the attorney for his alleged bookmaker said Thursday that the ex-Los Angeles Dodgers employee placed bets on international soccer — but not baseball. The IRS confirmed Thursday that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara and Mathew Bowyer, the alleged illegal bookmaker, are under criminal investigation through the agency’s Los Angeles Field Office. IRS Criminal Investigation spokesperson Scott Villiard said he could not provide additional details. Mizuhara, 39, was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday following reports from the Los Angeles Times and ESPN about his alleged ties to an illegal bookmaker and debts well
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