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Rugby Union

Wallabies continue impressive start

23/09/2007

Australia continued their unbeaten start to the Rugby World Cup with a 55-12 win over Fiji.

The Wallabies were led by Matt Giteau who scored two tries and kicked three penalties on his 50th cap.

Drew Mitchell scored a hat-trick while Adam Ashley-Cooper and Stephen Hoiles also crossed the line.

Fiji, who play Wales next week, scored two tries through Isoa Neivua and Ace Ratuva.

Scrum-half George Gregan equalled Will Carling's record of 59 caps for Tests as a captain.

After a tense start, the Wallabies opened the scoring on 16 minutes when Fijian-born Lote Tuqiri broke down the right and set-up Giteau to score under the posts.

The 2003 runners-up cranked up the pressure and went 17-0 ahead on 30 minutes when Mitchell chased Chris Latham's kick to touch down.

Giteau grabbed his second five minutes before the break after bundling over the line to make the score 22-0.

Fiji, who last beat Australia in 1954, scored a try on the stroke of half-time when Isoa Neivua powered over from the right to reduce their deficit to 17 points.

A drop goal from Berrick Barnes cancelled out Giteau's penalty at the start of the second half.

The Fijians struck on 46 minutes when scrum-half Mosese Rauluni burst through from a lineout and found Ace Ratuva who touched down.

Giteau continued his devastating display on 56 minutes to give the Aussies a bonus point. He produced a sublime pass to shift the ball quickly for Ashley-Cooper to cross the line.

Australia went 45-12 ahead on 69 minutes when Neivua lost possession, with Latham's punt forward ending with Mitchell strolling in under the posts.

Four minutes later, the Wallabies reached 50 points when substitute Hoiles crashed over to punish some woeful defending.

The Aussies are back in action against Canada on Saturday in Pool B.