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The Wallabies, licking their wounds after winning the match, but not the fight against France, got a sneak preview of what lies ahead in the Tri-Nations over the coming weeks, newspapers said Monday.
Newspapers said Wallabies players were hobbling around their Brisbane hotel after the 40-10 win over Les Bleus "comparing eye-patches, black eyes of world-title-fight calibre, scratches,scrapes and bruises."
Lock James Horwill was cleared of a fractured eye-socket after he was belted in a first-half brawl which led to three-match bans for French forwards Imanol Harinordoquy and Renaud Boyoud.
Fullback Cameron Shepherd is likely to be out for the rest of the season with a fractured left fibula, while inside-centre Berrick Barnes (AC joint) and tight-head prop Al Baxter (scratched eye) also sported wounds.
Next up for the Wallabies is their Tri-Nations opener against World Cup champions South Africa in Perth on July 19.
"(Coach) Robbie Deans needs no reminding that their next opponents - South Africa - know how to handle themselves, both on and off the ball," the Sydney Morning Herald said.
The Daily Telegraph said the side's much-improved win over France was emphatic but there was recognition the intense physicality of last weekend's opening Tri-Nations clash between the All Blacks and South Africa was on a different level again.
"The Wallabies know they must........... full article here
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