Wallabies Crush the Boks

The Wallabies have started their annual Mandela Challenge Cup campaign against the Springboks in fine style tonight defeating them convincingly 30-12 in front of a packed Telstra Stadium.

Australia never trailed at any stage in their five tries to nil romp dominating the game from start to finish on the back of some bruising defence from the forwards and clinical finishing from the backline.

Australian fly half Stephen Larkham was named man of the match after he produced a five star performance that saw him score a trademark try, as well as have a hand in two of the other Wallabies tries.

He was ably assisted throughout the match by fullback Mat Rogers and centre Matt Giteau who were a constant threat over the 80 minutes breaking the line at will to score three tries between the two of them.

After the match Australian coach Eddie Jones was pleased by the efforts of his charges, but thought improvement could be made for their next match against South Africa.

"It was a satisfactory performance against a very good side. We were a little bit better than them tonight, but we will have to be a lot better in Johannesburg in two weeks time."

The Wallabies were welcomed onto the pitch by 61,534 gold clad fans and this awe inspiring sight saw the Australians explode out of the blocks with some sensational bustling runs from league converts Lote Tuquri and Wendell Sailor.

Australia got on the board early with the first points of the game coming by way of a Matt Giteau penalty goal, but this was quickly countered by one of the same from South African fullback Percy Montgomery to level the score at 3-3 after 10 minutes.

Steve Larkham was at his ever present best in the 23rd minute breaking the deadlock as he glided through the Springboks line, before out-sprinting two South African defenders to score the first try of the game.

Giteau missed the relatively easy conversion attempt leaving the Australians ahead 8-3.

The Wallabies were in again five minutes later after quick turnover ball from George Smith gave Rogers plenty of space and he used it to his advantage beating defenders easily, before capping the movement off with a superb ball to Giteau who had too much pace for the cover defence diving over in the left hand corner.

Once again he failed with his conversion attempt leaving the Aussies 10 points in front through 28 minutes of play (13-3).

Rogers was in the action again to give the Wallabies their third try in 10 minutes after he was the first man through to a clever Larkham kick, but once again the try was scored out wide and once again Giteau was narrowly off target with his conversion attempt sending the Australians to the half time break ahead 18-3.

Montgomery inched the Springboks closer nine minutes into the second half with his second penalty goal of the night, but just a minute later an intelligent chip kick from Larkham left the Wallabies inches short of their fourth try and soon after he delivered the knockout blow to the visitors throwing a perfect cut-out pass to Giteau who made sure to race around under the sticks to make his conversion attempt as easy as possible (25-6).

South Africa had plenty of chances to close the gap over the final 20 minutes, but for all of their endeavours they could not get over the white stripe and to rub salt into their wounds an intercept by Rogers after the siren led to a try to test debutant Drew Mitchell.

The Wallabies now have a week off before they travel to Johannesburg where they will have their return bout against the Springboks and they will need it with captain George Gregan picking up a rib injury, while Matt Dunning and Morgan Turinui suffered leg strains.

AUSTRALIA	30
Tries: Matt Giteau 2, Mat Rogers, Stephen Larkham, Drew Mitchell. Conversions: Matt Giteau. Penalties: Matt Giteau.
SOUTH AFRICA	12
Tries: nil. Conversions: nil. Penalties: Percy Montgomery 4.
@ the Telstra Stadium, Sydney.   Referee: Kelvin Deaker (NZ)   Crowd: 61,534 Weather: Rain, Night.   Surface: Slippery.   Half Time: Australia 18-3.