Test bolter Luke Morahan tips young Wallabies to ‘dominate’ France

WALLABIES bolter Luke Morahan has declared Australia’s rookies are ready to “dominate” France despite a bulk of the team’s frontline stars being rested.

Morahan will start at fullback, filling in for the rested Israel Folau, alongside several inexperienced players including debutant Kyle Godwin — with seven of the starting XV having played 12 Tests or fewer.

But that inexperience — with Folau, Michael Hooper, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Rory Arnold and Sekope Kepu rested — will be countered by youthful hunger, Morahan believes.

“It’s massively important, it’s a Test match regardless of who is in there, we’re all going to go out there to perform,” Morahan said.

“It’s a big tour, we want to go through it successfully, this is another game we just want to dominate and play our best, play our game.

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“Everyone is going to put their hand up to play the week after as well.

“It doesn’t change a thing.”

Morahan said the new combinations had trained seamlessly this week.

“We’ve been together all year and some guys for multiple years, and guys coming in we’ve come through the system together,” he said.

“We’ve got those combinations there already and for me, with Kyle Godwin there, I’ve been playing with him for the last three years.

“It’s something that moving forward as a group, we’re pretty used to getting out there with different combinations and it shows at training.”

Morahan was overlooked for the tour in favour of development project Marika Koroibete by coach Michael Cheika, but gets a chance to stake a claim after scoring three tries in two games for the touring Barbarians.

“I was aware that it’s always hard to make a squad regardless of who is coming in or out, it’s something I’ve dealt with my whole career so I know how to embrace that and move forward and look for that next opportunity, and try my best to get back into the squad regardless,” said Morahan, who will be playing his third Test.

“I’m confident in my ability and my performances over the last year or so.

“I was confident that I was there, and if I could keep playing that way I could get back there again.

“It’s just a matter of believing I will do it again, and hoping and aiming towards that as the goal.

“I’ve shown [Cheika] everything he asked for essentially; he asked me to be a bit more physical in my contact, keep up with attacking game and defensive game and improve there.

“An all-round improvement in my game is something he’s asked for and something I think I’ve done.”

France have named powerful Fijian-born wingers Virimi Vakatawa (92kg) and Noa Nakaitaci (94kg) as part of a dangerous backline.

“Their two wingers especially are quite skilful and big, exciting and explosive, so we’ll be looking out for them,” Morahan said.

“Their centres are tough ball carriers, and their backrowers are great ball carriers as well, so very physical, that’s something we’ll have to match and put the pressure back on them.

“It will be a great Test match.”