Wallabies assistant coach Jim Williams believes France have erred in keeping cult figure Sebastien Chabal in the second-row for Saturday night's second rugby union Test at Suncorp Stadium.

Williams said the long-haired and bearded Chabal was a far more dangerous prospect in his preferred No.8 position which he plays for English club Sale.

French coach Marc Lievremont has instead selected Fulgence Ouedraogo at the back of the scrum.

"That (selection) is a little bit surprising because that's where (Chabal) makes most impact," Williams said.

"He's a little bit looser and he gets around the park more and has lot more impact, especially with the ball."

But Williams was unsurprised by the 11 changes Lievremont made to Les Bleus after their 34-13 first Test loss in Sydney on the weekend and believed they would be Test hardened after a long season at home.

Ticket sales are suggesting a crowd of 40,000 will attend the second Test, Australia's last before the Tri-Nations tournament.

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