Super-utility Adam Ashley-Cooper showed he was indeed human in his only Test start at fullback but the Wallabies Mr Fix-It has no fears heading into his second.

Ashley-Cooper will line up at No.15 against France on Saturday night with renewed confidence aiming to make the position his own ahead of good mate Cameron Shepherd for the Tri-Nations.

The versatile Brumbies flyer said he had learnt his lessons from a forgettable first half at fullback in the Bledisloe Cup decider in Auckland last August.

Starting in his fourth different position in a breakthrough 2007, the previously invincible Ashley-Cooper struggled in the wet at Eden Park when his hands and rusty right boot let him down.

Moved to the wing in the second half of the 26-12 loss with Chris Latham replacing him at fullback, it appeared the last time he would start in the custodian's role for Australia.

But new coach Robbie Deans has been impressed by the 24-year-old's attitude and expanding skill set to give him a chance to atone at Suncorp Stadium.

Whereas Deans believes Ashley-Cooper deserves to play 15 against France, the utility back was thrust into the Auckland game after incumbent Julian Huxley was injured at a Brumbies awards night at a time Latham was working his way back from knee surgery.

"I only had the week to prepare for that match, I was happy with the way the preparations went but I suppose as far as conditions that night it was going to be a tough outing and I let a few little mistakes creep into my game and probably didn't move on from that," he said.

"I would have liked to have gone back out there at fullback (in the second half) to make up for the mistakes I made in the first half but that wasn't the case.

"That's football and that's life and I took a lot of valuable lessons out of that Test match. The main lesson was to stay in the now and move on from the mistake and look forward to the next play."

Ashley-Cooper denied there would be any residual hang-ups against Les Bleus, an approach which has got the support of Deans.

"I'm not afraid to make mistakes," he said. "In 2006 was basically the year I tried to play conservative.

"In 2007 I lost that fear and I basically went out to have a crack, go looking for the ball and be as hungry as (possible).

"Robbie's come over with a totally different mindset to Australia has in the past and that's to simplify everything, play what's in front and let the ball do the work.

"He's adding a new dimension to our attack and it's all very exciting."

Deans has asked Ashley-Cooper, who announced himself in Test stage with a tackle-shedding try in last year's 20-15 upset of New Zealand at the MCG, where he prefers to play.

"If you ask me where I feel most comfortable it's probably 13 but I enjoy everywhere," he explained.

"This weekend is a good opportunity to go out there and prove my versatility.

"Obviously with Tri-Nations selection coming up I really have to make the most of my time out there on the park this weekend."

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