Changes expected for series decider between the Wallabies and France

Losing the second Test against France has heaped the pressure on the Wallabies to win the decider, and coach Dave Rennie will call on fresh legs.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper was sore after the second test. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Wallabies will ring the changes for Saturday’s must-win series finale against the French, hopeful the fresh energy of new players will drive the team to victory.

Reeling from his side doing so much right in Melbourne on Tuesday night, but giving up the ball at the breakdown far too often, coach Dave Rennie said four days was the perfect time to wait for redemption.

He conceded he’d be changing a team that had improved game on game, having used the same 23 in game two as game one.

But with competition for spots fierce in his squad, Rennie said giving new players the chance to perform in a big game could be an ace up his team’s sleeve.

“There’s massive competition for places,” Rennie said.

“There’s a number of guys who played in these first two games, and there’s not a hell of a lot between them and someone outside the 23.

“We’ve got guys who were really scrapping for an opportunity and deserve a crack. We want to see a response from those new guys coming in.

“They will be fresh and full of beans and give us some key energy.

“Four days to wait for redemption, it’s ideal.”

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said having to wait just four days for redemption was ‘ideal’. Picture: William West / AFP

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper, who was “a bit sore” after a bruising encounter at AAMI Park, said he’d love an extra day or two off.

But he also said the chance to play in a decider, for an emerging group, was the sort of opportunity every player would embrace.

“Of course it’s disappointing (to lose), so close yet so far,” he said.

“In saying that, it’s great to be involved in a decider this week. We are a young team and to be involved in a big game is going to be great for our group.

“Yes, it sucks losing, our changeroom is deathly quiet. But the only negative will be if we take nothing from this, if we don’t take a lesson learned.

“We’ve got a lot of learnings out of that.”