Frenchman tells Wallabies to be wary
They may not be household names in Australia, but French halfback Dimitri Yachvili says the Wallabies will sure know France's rookie backs after Saturday night's first Test in Sydney.
Set for his 36th Test, Yachvili - along with veteran centre Damien Traille, who has 63 caps to his credit - are the only two French backs with international reputations heading into the ANZ Stadium showdown.
The Wallabies, on the other hand, have Test stalwarts like skipper Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, and Lote Tuqiri, who boast 171 caps between them plus two Rugby World Cup campaigns each.
The trio of Mortlock, Giteau and Tuqiri alone represents six times the Test experience of little-known visiting backs Pepito Elhorga, Alexis Palisson, Francois Trinh-Duc, Benjamin Thiery and Benjamin Boyet.
But the more-seasoned Yachvili, on his fourth visit to Australia, said the French rookies had talent and speed to burn, particularly fullback Elhorga, and cautioned the Wallabies from underestimating them.
"Although they are not very known internationally, in our championship - this is not the best championship in the world - but they are good players, they have many qualities and I hope they show us and show you on Saturday," Yachvili said.
"They are very good players in our championship. They all deserve to play for the French team."
"Not just one player, but many players with promise, and this is a good opportunity to show their qualities."
Perhaps of more concern to the Wallabies is the fact French coach Marc Lievremont has given his greenhorn backs a license to thrill.
"(There are) no restrictions," Yachvili said.
"They have to play with their head empty.
"They are not asking questions - they are going to play as themselves and naturally, so we don't have to put pressure on them.
"We just have to help them to play with their head in good position."
Despite his fighting words, Yachvili said the Wallabies were entitled to favouritism.
"They are a very big team. I think they are one of the best teams in the world, actually, so it's going to be very tough, very hard," he said.
"But we will try and do the best we can to beat them."
Yachvili's personal halfback duel with second-Test Wallaby Luke Burgess shapes as vital for both sides.
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