Rugby Union / Nick Tedeschi / 25 June 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external">Bet Now

Northern hemisphere teams simply do not win when they head south, and that should continue when Australia hosts France, writes Nick Tedeschi.

Since England's famous victory over Australia in the 2003 World Cup Final, the tale of northern hemisphere teams playing below the equator has not been one of equality or triumph.

The record of Six Nations teams against Tri-Nations teams in the southern hemisphere is appalling and looks set to continue this weekend at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

From 2004, Six Nations teams have met Tri-Nations teams in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa on 36 occasions. The record of northern hemisphere teams is an abysmal one win, one draw and thirty-four losses.

That one win was recorded by France, in South Africa, in 2006. Since the 2003 World Cup, no northern hemisphere team has won in Australia or New Zealand in 23 Tests.

The reasons for such failure are plentiful. The importance of club rugby in Europe has often resulted in weakened international teams being sent out.

Timing has also been an issue as northern and southern hemisphere teams tend to be at different stages of their season when Test matches are scheduled. A singular focus on the World Cup has also played a role in the lopsided results.

While France have certainly been the most successful of the northern travelers since the 2003 World Cup, their record is still ordinary.

Les Bleus have played six Tests in the southern hemisphere and have only a win and a draw to go with four losses. In three Tests in New Zealand and Australia, the French have lost by an average of 29.33 points.

France's record against the Wallabies in Australia is just as uninspiring. All-time, France has won only four of the 16 Tests played and recorded their last win against the Wallabies in Australia in 1990 when the game was still regarded as amateur.

The chances of France improving on that record has not been assisted by the fact they will field an under-strength team that has only one survivor from their 2007 World Cup semi-final defeat, thanks to an overlap with the final stages of the French domestic competition.

They bring in Brive winger Alexis Palisson and Biarritz prop Benoit Lecouls for their Test debuts in a line-up featuring charismatic lock Sebastien Chabal, on whose rugged shoulders much of the French fortunes lie.

The Wallabies, by contrast, appear to be ticking over nicely under new coach Robbie Deans. Deans, a lot like NBA legend Phil Jackson, is a calm, philosophical coach who tends to get the most out of his team.

The scrum half combination of Burgess and Giteau will be better for the run against Ireland and with a new focus on attacking rugby, they could really open up the French.

A coach will always hope to be able to name an unchanged side, and that is the situation for Deans as he selected an unchanged 22-man squad.

The Wallabies look very good things and can be bet with confidence in the match odds market. Those looking for added value can bet the Wallabies in half-time/full-time and winning margin markets.