Australia edge out England, Springboks crush Scots

LONDON - Australia has held off a brave England fightback to beat the world champions 21-19 at Twickenham as South Africa crushed Scotland 45-10.

Italy overpowered the United States 43-25 in the other afternoon kickoff on Saturday, with France due to play New Zealand and Ireland facing Argentina later.

Australia looked to be heading for sweet revenge for their World Cup final defeat by England 12 months ago when they led the hosts 15-0 early in the second half.

England produced three quick-fire tries, however, to move 19-15 ahead before two late penalties from the inspirational Matt Giteau sealed Australia's victory.

"We played the way we wanted to play and moved the ball around really well," Australia coach Eddie Jones told reporters.

Australia dominated the first half and scored two well worked tries, Giteau creating the first for hooker Jeremy Paul, and fullback Chris Latham crossing for the second.

"This is a quality England team and it means the world to beat them," man-of-the-match Latham said. "It's been tough tour but we just dug in there."

Giteau's penalty extended the touring side's lead to 15-0 but England suddenly found the form that secured last weekend's emphatic 32-16 victory over South Africa.

Flanker Lewis Moody was driven over the line by a rolling maul, winger Josh Lewsey peeled off another forward surge to touch down and winger Mark Cueto finished off a flowing back-line move to put England 19-15 ahead with 12 minutes left.

Australia held their nerve, however, and Giteau struck two clinical penalties leaving England to rue two simple penalty misses by first five-eighths Charlie Hodgson in the first half.

"We made too many mistakes and Australia punished us," England captain Jason Robinson said. "We are very disappointed but at least we can take some positives out of the game."

South Africa completed their European tour with a rout of Scotland inspired by first five-eighths Jaco van der Westhuyzen, who scored a try and three drop goals.

Winger Jaque Fourie, flanker Solly Tyibilika on his debut and winger Brian Habana twice also crossed the line and fullback Percy Montgomery kicked 11 points to earn the Springboks a consolation for defeats this month by Ireland and England.

Scotland's only points came from a converted penalty try and a solitary penalty by Chris Paterson.

Italy surged into a 30-3 halftime lead over the US in Rome thanks to two tries by winger Kaine Robertson and a score each for centres Walter Pozzebon and Cristian Stoica.

The Eagles staged a determined second-half fightback with tries by centre Paul Emerick, winger Albert Tuipulotu and hooker Matt Wyatt but Italy first five-eighths Luciano Orquera also crossed the line and the home side kept their nerve to take the win.

Wales ran in 14 tries, including four by flanker Colin Charvis, in their 98-0 demolition of Japan in Cardiff on Friday.

- REUTERS