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By Iain Payten
June 25, 2009 France have turned to a "cold-blooded" World Cup hero in a bid to match wits with Wallabies star Matt Giteau on Saturday and secure their first victory in Australia for 19 years.
Young Stade Francais fly half Lionel Beauxis was one of seven new faces unveiled in France's run-on side on Wednesday, joining wily veteran Dimitri Yachvili in an all-new halves combination.
Although only a late call-up to the French tour squad through injury, Beauxis has proven form on the big stage - having steered Les Bleus to their famous upset victory over New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the 2007 World Cup.
Injuries have prevented the 23-year-old's Test career from blossoming since but with Australia's clinical spring tour win last November fresh in his mind, French coach Marc Lievremont hopes Beauxis can step back up for another "strategic" battle.
"The Australians are more organised and strategic in their game," Lievre-mont said on Wednesday.
"We have to compete with Australia in this. They are strong and composed, know how to be patient and have an ability to know what options to take and how to play at any time.
"They rely on their midfield core and have Giteau's field kicking. Lionel has been working hard with us, he has had a few injuries but is now 100 per cent fit. This is a good opportunity for him."
Along with the well-regarded kicking game of Yachvili, Beauxis's boot will be important but France say they are also looking for the 12-Test pivot to "take leadership" and inject some expansive attack against the Aussies.
France were happy with their form against the All Blacks but believe they will need an extra dimension to beat the Wallabies.
"We were really competitive in defence, and the scrum and lineout. Now we want to play a bit more," assistant coach Didier Detiere said.
"To play against Australia, if you are waiting for them in defence you will end up in big trouble.
"You have to take the game to them a bit, to try and put them under pressure."
Although deposed No. 10 Francois Trinh-Duc is no slouch in attack, French backs coach Emile N'Tamack said Beauxis was a proven big match player and had "sangfroid".
The term can be translated as calm, but French officials preferred to use the phrase "blood-cold" at their media conference on Wednesday.
Lievremont said his party were aware they had not had a win in Australia in their past seven Tests and were keen to bury the hoodoo.
"We have been talking about winning a game here. It hasn't happened since 1990," he said.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
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