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Rugby Union

Giteau inspires Australia win over France

28/06/2008

Matt Giteau was the catalyst for Australia as they dominated their Test match against France, winning 34-13 in Sydney.

The first half was a scrappy affair meaning the two sides were only separated by four points at the break. However, in the second period the Wallabies showed their class and cruised past the visitors.

France put out a team filled with inexperienced players as they begin rebuilding after last year's World Cup.

But Australia failed to take advantage of this at the start of the match and both sides were guilty of sloppy handling errors.

Midway through the first half Giteau put the Aussies ahead with a penalty, only for Dimitri Yachvilli to level the scores soon after.

Giteau then gained the decisive score of the first 40 minutes when full-back Cameron Shepherd broke down the flank and fed the fly-half who beat Sebastien Chabal for pace to score under the posts.

Yachvilli kept the scores close going into the break with another penalty, as Australia led 10-6.

However, in the second half the home side outclassed the opposition. Nathan Sharpe scored their second try after fine work by scrum-half Luke Burgess.

Burgess set-up an attack from a stolen line-out and although France managed to hold Australia up just before the line Sharpe eventually scrambled over from short-range.

Winger Peter Hynes set up the third try for Rocky Elsom who only had to touch down after Giteau had released the final pass along the back line.

Les Bleus regrouped but as they tried to find a way past Australia's defence Stirling Mortlock was able to intercept Damien Traille's pass and cruised in for another try.

Alexis Palisson scored a late consolation try on his debut for France but it was too little too late for the visitors.