Australia winger Adam Ashley-Cooper scored three tries in seven minutes in the second half as the Wallabies shook off the disappointment of their loss to Ireland last week with a 67-5 victory over the US yesterday.
The Wallabies had been heavily criticized for their 15-6 loss to Ireland, but showed against the US how dangerous they can be when allowed to control the pace of the game, running in 11 tries — several from more than 50m out — at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington.
While coach Robbie Deans may have been pleased with the result and some of the support play and width they achieved, he will remind the Wallabies they will not get as much quick ball or space against better sides.
Photo: Reuters
They could also have injury concerns with Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe and Anthony Fainga’a coming off, with team officials suggesting that McCabe may have a dislocated shoulder, while Fainga’a was knocked cold in a tackle in the final minute.
“We spoke about being a bit smarter with our decisionmaking and the scoreline was flattering, but I guess the best thing about the performance was the way we went about it,” Wallabies captain Will Genia said in a pitchside interview.
“We got a cleaner ball to work with this week and when you’ve got guys like Kurtley and Quade, it makes the forwards’ job much easier when you get on the front foot,” he said.
The Tri-Nations champions had a nervous opening five minutes, but then scored two electric tries through inside center Rob Horne and flanker Rocky Elsom after they recycled the ball at lightning pace.
The US then had the better of the next 20 minutes after captain Tim Usasz had broken out from inside his own half in a move that gave them some much needed momentum.
Despite holding out for several minutes, the Wallabies finally broke when US No. 8 J.J. Gagiano exploited a poorly defended blindside from an attacking scrum to bring the crowd to their feet as he scored the first try against Australia at the tournament so far.
The Wallabies, despite being forced back on their line again, swept 90m down the field for fullback Beale to finish off, which Cooper converted.
Fainga’a secured the bonus point less than five minutes later to give the Wallabies a 22-5 lead at halftime.
The Wallabies continued their resurgence after the break with winger Drew Mitchell and replacement center McCabe both crossing in the first 10 minutes of the second half to ensure there was no chance of a US fightback.
Ashley-Cooper then went on his scoring burst, before Fainga’a scored his second after another long-range attack and Radike Samo took the final pass from Ashley-Cooper to score their final try. Berrick Barnes converted four of their second-half tries.
“I thought we had a good first half ... we ran out of steam at the end, but I’m immensly proud of the guys,” Usasz said.
“That’s the difference when you play the best sides in the world, they really punish you for your mistakes,” he said.
Fainga’a was knocked clean out when he took a knee to the head while attempting to tackle the US’ Chris Wyles in the last minute of the game.
He received several minutes of on-field treatment before being taken off on a stretcher.
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