The Wallabies have been warned to learn from last week's wakeup call against Scotland and not fall into the trap of viewing France as a team of all sizzle and no steak.
Lauded as the kings of flair, France's reputation as international rugby's flashy team has earned them plaudits for decades.
But it can mask the hard-nosed rugby which wins big Tests, and that is what has the Wallabies on high alert ahead of Saturday's clash at Stade de France.
The team is also wary of repeating last week's escape against Scotland, which led to coach Michael Cheika saying there had been a lack of focus from kickoff which nearly derailed a grand slam bid.
Ahead of the France Test, the players agreed with Cheika's belief that the team had lacked intensity with its linespeed in defence against Scotland.
"We definitely felt like we were maybe a bit passive in defence, allowed them to run at us," said Dane Haylett-Petty.
"We felt good in attack, created so many opportunities, and then just that last pass lets you down sometimes.
"We talked a lot about starting again at the start of the week, maybe we didn't quite do that. But we're resilient and we were able to grind out that win.
"It was probably a wake-up call, we know just how tough every single one of these games is going to be, and the boys are definitely really focused on this weekend and the challenges ahead."
Meanwhile, prop Sekope Kepu has concerns which hit closer to home than the dashing pace and guile of France's devastating back three.
He's more worried about the challenge which awaits Australia at the set piece, where even the loss of Kepu's impressive former Bordeaux teammate Jefferson Poirot to a shoulder injury shouldn't hinder the home side.
"Their scrum is a weapon for them. They're renowned for it," Kepu said on Tuesday.
"(Poirot is) a great young guy coming through and obviously to lose him is massive for the French side, but they've got a lot of guys coming through,.
"There's no shortage of front rowers here.
"The biggest thing is (the French) love scrummaging, their mentality is a bit different to what the southern hemisphere teams do and what we're used to,"
Both Kepu and Haylett-Petty have experience playing club rugby in France, and both are wise to the ruse that French teams are all flash and no substance.
"They're a great team. They're capable of playing an attacking, exciting style of rugby," Haylett-Petty said.
"Everyone talks about the French flair (but) also because of the European (style) they're also able to grind out wins.
"We know what a challenge it's going to be and we're really looking for to it."
Australia is currently undefeated on the Spring Tour, with victories over Wales and Scotland leaving them halfway to a treasured grand slam - with fixtures against Ireland and England to follow the France Test.
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