For the first time in his history, Australia have moved into the knockout stage of an international competition undefeated. France was always going to be a litmus test of Australia’s ultimate potential. After a gutsy win against a grinding Lithuania, Les Bleus were set to give the Boomers a different shade of suffering with their length, athleticism and creativity off the bounce. Stacked against a roster replete with NBA talent, if the Boomers were to win, they had to execute to perfection – the margin for error was that slim.