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Like a Tsunami, it started slow and built up to crash down on a hapless Japanese outfit with a supreme second half effort....
George Gregan Australia has opened its 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign with a comprehensive 91-3 demolition of Japan at Gerland Stadium in Lyon on Saturday night.
The Wallabies blew out the cobwebs in their first Test in seven weeks by running in 14 tries, with flanker Rocky Elsom picking up three and Berrick Barnes scoring two tries on his Test debut.
Australia only led 23-3 at half-time but found its rhythm in the second half to cut the brave but outclassed Cherry Blossoms apart in an impressive display.
However, there remains some question marks over the Wallabies scrum with referee Alan Lewis disciplining props Al Baxter and Matt Dunning over their scrummaging techniques. Another concern was reserve winger Mark Gerrard, who limped off late in the match with what looked like an ankle injury.
Australia controlled the attack from the outset but showed some rustiness in the opening exchanges and had to settle for two penalty goals from skipper Stirling Mortlock in the 10th and 17th minute for an early 6-0 lead.
It was left to Nathan Sharpe to score Australia's first try of their campaign in the 24th minute. The Wallabies secured lineout ball on Japan's 22 and worked a rolling maul diligently to the tryline for the big lock to dive over out wide.
A bullocking run from Mortlock put the Wallabies on the attack again just a few minutes later and a sublime inside pass from Stephen Larkham put Elsom into a gap and he raced away for Australia's second.
The Wallabies were in again when a bullet-like cut-out pass from Chris Latham found Elsom unmarked on the wing and he dived over in the corner for his second try. Mortlock swung his conversion away to the left to leave the score at 23-0.
Japan got on the board just before half-time when young flyhalf Ono kicked a 40-metre penalty after Mortlock was pinged for tackling a player not in possession of the ball.
Australia led 23-3 at the break.
The Wallabies started the second half in blistering fashion with Elsom cutting through the Japanese defence in the middle of the park to gallop away for his third try of the afternoon. Mortlock added the extras to make it 30-3.
Australia was in again a few minutes later when Sharpe burst into space down the left flank before turning the ball back inside for George Gregan and then winger Adam Ashley-Cooper, who dotted down under the posts.
With the game well in hand, Hugh McMeninan and Guy Shepherdson were brought on for Dan Vickerman and Al Baxter respectively and just a few minutes later fullback Chris Latham celebrated his 32nd birthday when he worked a pick 'n' go to dive over from a metre out.
Reserve flyhalf Barnes scored with almost his first touch of the ball when Gregan danced through the Japanese defence before sending the Wallabies youngest squad member on a saloon passage to the line.
Just a minute later, Drew Mitchell, who had just replaced Ashley-Cooper scooted down the left flank for his first try as the Japanese defence showed
George Smith showed great technique to effect a tackle on the Japanese flyhalf, rip the ball and then scamper 22 metres to score Australia's tenth try.
Latham picked up his second when he scored a classic 70-metre chip-and-chase on the counter with Mitchell and Barnes doubling their contribution after smooth backline plays.
Reserve hooker Adam Freier capped an impressive afternoon when he tunneled his way over right on full-time.
Australia 91
Tries: Elsom 3, Mitchell 2, Latham 2, Barnes 2, Sharpe, Ashley-Cooper, Latham, Smith, Freier
Conversions: Mortlock 9/12, Giteau 2/2
Penalties: Mortlock 2/2
Japan 3
Penalties: Ono 1/1
Wallabies wallop Japanese in opener
Story by Sportal for the ARU
Sunday, September 09, 2007 - 01:43 AM (AEST)
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"Remember lads, rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to Giteau." 
