Before the Wallabies began their captain's run at Suncorp Stadium yesterday, they went through the usual ritual of posing for the team photo.

Then there is a succession of photos taken in which members of the public who have won competitions get their chance to be part of a team shot. Yesterday, this group involved several nervous youngsters, starstruck by being in the presence of their footballing heroes.

As Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said: "As you would imagine with young kids, they were quite intimidated coming into the photo. At that moment Lachie Turner made the comment: 'I know how they feel'."

The Waratahs winger has certainly been swept away by his elevation to Test status this week, several days ago explaining how he turned into a "walking zombie" when told he would be replacing the injured Lote Tuqiri for his first cap. He also revealed that his parents, in particularly mother, Trish, had turned into a nervous wreck.

Since then Turner has been floating, even enlivening his more experienced Test teammates with his enthusiasm.

"He has been bouncing around at training, soaking it all up," Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock said yesterday. "When he was today presented with the Test jersey from Mark Loane, he was extremely excited."

Now Turner has to channel it all the right way. Even Deans yesterday warned of the hazards of getting over-excited about it all.

"Lachie now has the whole prize," Deans said.

"He has the jersey and the opportunity to play. The important thing for him is to master those emotions, so that he is himself. He's got everything he needs, and the sooner he can settle and get on with it the better it will be for him."

Over in the French camp, life hasn't been so frenetic. Their press conferences are more like fireside chats, riverboat cruises have been on the itinerary, and it is clear the players want to enjoy themselves in the final week of a long season.

Guests at their Brisbane hotel have been witness to the team's sense of fun. On Thursday night, one of their younger players was seen in a glass foyer lift with his legs tied together, and dressed down to his underpants.

His teammates had handcuffed his hands to the rail in the lift, and for several minutes he went up and down the lift, in full view of everyone in the foyer.

To the applause of all, including that of his French teammates, he eventually freed himself and hopped back to his room.

Coach Marc Lievremont emphasised France's priorities by explaining: "We'll sleep better if we beat Australia … maybe shorter, though."