Wallabies bounce Les Bleus

Perfect preparation for Tri-Nations opener

Last updated: 5th July 2008

James Horwill

James Horwill scores for Australia

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Australia completed a 2-0 series victory over France with a record 40-10 victory in Brisbane.

Last week's 34-13 scoreline in Sydney matched the Wallabies' biggest margin of victory over Les Bleus in Australia.

But they were even more dominant at Suncorp Stadium, running in four tries and completing the perfect preparation for their Tri-Nations opener in two weeks' time.

Australia fly-half Matt Giteau scored 20 points in a brilliant individual performance, landing four penalties and four conversions, as well as having a hand in all four of his team's tries.

Replacement centre Ryan Cross scored two second-half tries after Peter Hynes and lock James Horwill both crossed in the first half.

France, who made wholesale changes to their side after the Sydney defeat, did at least have the last word with an 80th-minute consolation try from fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc.

Giteau landed six kicks from six attempts in the first half and also set up two tries before the break.

Pinpoint

He fired a pinpoint crossfield kick to the corner for unmarked winger Hynes to collect for his first Test try, then sent Horwill over with a clever pass.

France could only reply through a Trinh-Duc penalty just before the break as the Wallabies headed for the sheds with a 26-3 lead.

The French enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory after half time but Australia scored first when Cross collected a long, flat pass from Giteau and sprinted 25 metres to score in the corner.

The same pair combined again for the fourth try after a sustained attacking phase to stretch the lead to 40-3.

France had plenty of good possession in the closing stages but the Australian defence held firm until Trihn-Duc finished off a flowing counter-attack.

The Wallabies get their Tri-Nations campaign under way against World champions South Africa in Perth on July 19, but will be without Cameron Shepherd after the full-back suffered a suspected broken leg in the closing stages.