The Wallabies have outclassed Six Nations champion France with a scrappy 29-17 win in the First Test at Melbourne's Colonial Stadium.

The world champions scored two tries to one and led 23-9 at half-time against an under-strength French side that made eight changes to the one that lost by a point to Argentina last week.

It was another satisfactory effort by the Wallabies after their win against the Maori in Perth, but coach Eddie Jones would have liked a few more points after his side dominated possession.

Of biggest concern would be the Wallabies' failure to convert a huge advantage in territory after half-time and then lose focus and let the French score with seven minutes remaining.

Wallaby No.8 Toutai Kefu was at his destructive best, while the second-row of Justin Harrison and Nathan Sharpe are developing a strong combination ahead of the Tri Nations.

Colonial Stadium looked a bit empty without the army of Lions fans that invaded Melbourne last year and there was little of the same tension for the 37,000-strong crowd.

But those who attended wanted attacking rugby and they saved their biggest boo of the night when Australia took the penalty option rather than going for touch while on the attack on the French 22.

France opened the scoring in the third minute with a penalty to Damien Traille and made all the running in an entertaining start. They were only denied a try in the sixth minute when fullback Pepito Elhorga was brought down in a brilliant saving tackle by his opposite Chris Latham 10m out.

But that was the only real moment of joy for the French until Jean-Baptiste Poux's try in the 73rd minute. With few ideas in attack, France had to rely on the boot of Traille and five-eighth Francois Gelez to stay in touch with the Wallabies.

Outside-centre Matt Burke levelled the scores with a penalty in the 11th minute and then the home side went further ahead two minutes later when Latham finished off a sweeping backline move that started 40m out. Burke added the extras and a further penalty to give the Wallabies a 13-3 lead after 16 minutes.

Gelez added two more penalties but it was all the French could do with the Wallabies building a handsome advantage in possession after controlling the breakdown and the lineout.

Despite seeing little ball, France maintained a slight advantage in territory until the final stages of the half with the Wallabies camped in the opposition quarter.

And the pressure finally told when five-eighth Stephen Larkham glided through some poor French defence six metres out to score under the posts in the 37th minute. Again Burke added the conversion and a final penalty on half-time gave the Wallabies a 12-point lead at the break.

Scoreboard

AUSTRALIA 29
Tries: Chris Latham, Stephen Larkham tries.
Goals: Matthew Burke 5 pen goals, 2 conv.

FRANCE 17
Try: Jean-Baptiste Poux.
Goals: Francois Gelez 3 pen goals, Damien Traille pen goal.

At Colonial Stadium.
Crowd: 37,482.
Referee: Chris White (England).