The Wallabies face a "brutal" test of their character and development on Saturday against a highly-physical French outfit eying a second trans-Tasman triumph.

Coach Robbie Deans has predicted a "ripper" of a benchmark clash at ANZ Stadium against a resurgent Les Bleus, who scored an upset series win over the All Blacks after their 14-10 loss in Wellington this weekend.

France's 27-22 triumph in Dunedin seven days before gave the tourists an aggregate points victory over the two-Test series to inflict a rare New Zealand home defeat.

Australia have hardly moved out of second gear in disposing of Italy 31-8 in Canberra and Saturday night's 34-12 in Melbourne where the world No.12-ranked Azzurri continued to frustrate the Wallabies.

The second-string tourists were well and truly in the match at 20-12 down with 10 minutes to go at Etihad Stadium before the home side shot away with two late tries.

To a man, the evolving Wallabies are licking their lips at the prospect of a true gauge of their form against a rare first-rate French touring outfit moving towards next month's Tri-Nations kick-off.

"This weekend is going to be a ripper - there's no two ways about that," Deans said on Sunday.

"To beat the All Blacks once and get as close as (France) did twice, and in recent times they have suffered out here, they'll be coming to Sydney looking to finish the year on a really good note.

"That will be their intent but it's a really important game for us as well."

If not for some inaccurate goalkicking and a try saving Brad Thorn goal-line strip on winger Vincent Clerc, France would have whitewashed the All Blacks.

Former Crusaders coach Deans is not one to denigrate Les Bleus' highly-physical performances by weighing up the absences of star New Zealanders Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter and Rodney So'oialo among others.

"It was the strength of the French team," he said. "The All Blacks seldom lose at home.

"You don't get a Test result in New Zealand without genuinely deserving it. They got one and almost got two.

"They've been quite brutal at the breakdown and obviously it's a conscious ploy as well as physical capability and I have no doubt they will be no different this week."

After thumping the Barbarians and grinding past the Italians, Deans isn't completely pleased with the build-up and knows the French will target the Wallabies in both set-pieces as well as the ruck area.

"We've got some elements that have been good for us but there's also been some indications the French will look and go 'gee there's an opportunity there'," he said. "But we're aware of it and it depends on how quickly we can deal with it.

"If we can get a good performance on the weekend, we'll be very happy with the month. But that's in front of us."

Although concerned the French could tire after two tough Tests at the end of a long European season, Italy coach Nick Mallett believed it would be a tight, no-holds-barred affair.

"I think they are very evenly-matched teams and France is a very dangerous side," Mallett said.

"They've matched New Zealand physically no problem and they have these great backs with a lot of pace."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP