Rugby: Spell on sideline recharges Roff's ambitions

CARDIFF - Wallaby rugby winger Joe Roff, spurred by a late and worrying "kick up the pants," is hoping to gain a reward for a four-year wait at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday (NZ time).

Roff plays his 50th test in the clash with France, and is determined to make the most of his chances, having had to battle his way back into the side.

The 24-year-old ACT flash has been a Wallaby fixture since making his debut in the 1995 World Cup, but found himself on the sidelines for the 28-7 win over the All Blacks at Stadium Australia in August after scratchy performances back-to-back in New Zealand and South Africa.

He was also left out of the starting side for the first game of the World Cup, against Romania in Belfast, with coach Rod Macqueen sticking with Ben Tune and Jason Little.

But after scoring two tries in the second half, he was brought back for Little in the second game against Ireland.

"Obviously, it was a big worry to me," Roff said of his sacking. "It was a real kick in the pants.

"But there were a few positives to come out of being dropped. You're reminded of the fact your position isn't always there, and that you have to perform to keep it," he said.

Roff said the French backs would pose a different threat to the New Zealanders Australia had been expecting to meet.

"I don't think the French backs have the physical intimidatory presence that maybe the Lomus and Umagas try to impose on you, but they are so quick that if you give them too much space they'll make use of it."

The French team chiefs are hoping that, for just one week, their players can cast aside two basic tenets of their country's rugby to overcome the Wallabies.

For one thing, French teams have rarely been known to string two brilliant performances together, and many believe they may have played their trump card in last Sunday's 43-31 semifinal win over New Zealand.

The second part of the equation, according to assistant coach Pierre Villepreux is that, if required, they must put winning ahead of the desire to play in their traditional, free flowing, style.

That sort of sacrifice is one thing. Being as mentally focussed again is another.

The best Villepreux and captain Raphael Ibanez have said this week is that they can only hope their men concentrate as sharply as last Sunday, when a pure 30 minutes of rugby in the second half buried the All Blacks. France will start the rank outsiders, as they did against the All Blacks, with bookmakers ranking Australia as 3-1 on favourite and France 9-4.

Victory would cap an incredible comeback for the unpredictable French, described by Wallabies prop Richard Harry this week as "a volcano which could erupt with dire consequences".

It was the same side which took the Five Nations wooden spoon this year, suffered a record 7-54 defeat to New Zealand, and were then even beaten by Tonga in June.

But France have not played the underdog card too heavily through the week, stressing instead that they believe the Australians are fallible.

The French have potential matchwinners in first five-eighth Christophe Lamaison and flanker Olivier Magne, who ripped the All Blacks to shreds with his powerful running last Sunday.

"The Australian team is tactically the team able to produce the best rugby," Villepreux said. "They get a lot of possession after the scrum and the lineout to penetrate the defence and disorganise the defence.

"We will have to be very well organised in defence."

Teams:

Australia: Matthew Burke, Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert, Tim Horan, Joe Roff, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Toutai Kefu, David Wilson, Matt Cockbain, John Eales (captain), David Giffin, Andrew Blades, Michael Foley, Richard Harry. Reserves: Jason Little, Nathan Grey, Chris Whitaker, Mark Connors, Owen Finegan, Dan Crowley, Jeremy Paul.

France: Xavier Garbajosa, Philippe Bernat-Salles, Richard Dourthe, Emile Ntamack, Christophe Dominici, Christophe Lamaison, Fabien Galthie, Christophe Juillet, Olivier Magne, Marc Lievremont, Fabien Pelous, Abdel Benazzi, Franck Tournaire, Raphael Ibanez (captain), Cedric Soulette. Reserves: Ugo Mola, Stephane Glas, Stephane Castaignede, Arnaud Costes, Olivier Brouzet, Pieter de Villiers, Marc dal Maso.

Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa). Kick-off: Sunday 4am (NZ time).