French crow after toppling Wallabies

MARSEILLE - World champions Australia were beaten 14-13 by France yesterday, their second consecutive defeat at the hands of Northern Hemisphere opposition in eight days.

The Wallabies lost 21-15 to England at Twickenham last Sunday. Before their European tour, the Tri-Nations champions had lost just twice this year.

France secured their first triumph over the Australians since 1993 yesterday through a 26th-minute try from former Counties Manukau midfield back Tony Marsh, a penalty from teenaged first five-eighths Frederic Michalak and two from the boot of centre Damien Traille.

The Wallabies got a late try from replacement Ben Tune and a conversion from Elton Flatley, but it was not enough to stop the French. Fullback Matt Burke had put over two penalties earlier in the game.

The French outplayed Australia in most aspects and the Wallabies struggled to produce their 15-man, attacking rugby.

"I have no explanation," said Australian coach Eddie Jones. "Basically, we played poorly. We turned the ball over in the tackle and when we were starting to put pressure on France, we let them off the hook by failing to do our fundamental work."

Wallaby captain George Gregan added: "The young French players were outstanding and they showed they are world-class players. Good luck to them."

French coach Bernard Laporte said he was extremely proud that his team had defeated two Southern Hemisphere countries, South Africa and Australia, in a row, the first time since the New Zealand tour in 1994.

He could also credit new-found solid defence and discipline, and five players under 21 who all made their test debut last week in the 20-10 win over South Africa last weekend.

Australia's starting XV had a total of 488 caps against France's 211. Besides halfback and captain Fabien Galthie's 44 caps, the French backs had a total of just 17 tests between them, nine belonging to winger David Bory.

Still they were able to rattle the Wallabies, who have collected Tri-Nations, Bledisloe Cup and Lions series trophies this year but could have lost by 20 points yesterday had Michalak and Traille been on target with the boot.

* In Genoa, South Africa trounced Italy 54-26 yesterday, leaving the hosts in no doubt that they still have a long way to go before they can dine at the top table of the world game.

Eight Springbok tries to two ensured an emphatic scoreline for the visitors, who looked tentative in the opening half-hour but outclassed the hosts in the second half.

Italy's Diego Dominguez posted 19 points - with one try and five successful kicks from eight attempts - while substitute Andrea Benatti scored a late try, converted by Francesco Mazzariol, but the Springboks queued up to cross the line.

Joost van der Westhuizen, Dean Hall and Trevor Halstead scored in the first half and forwards John Smit, Willie Meyer and Victor Matfield did the same after the break before Halstead, playing in just his second test, grabbed another and skipper Bobby Skinstad also touched down.

Bram Van Straaten converted five from five and Louis Koen managed two out of three conversions.

* Rampant England wrote themselves into the record books at Twickenham yesterday with a 134-0 victory over Romania.

Their overwhelming victory set a world's best winning margin for international rugby, eclipsing New Zealand's 145-17 victory against Japan in the 1995 World Cup.

It was a record-crazy afternoon as the Six Nations champions predictably sank Romania without trace.

First five-eighths Charlie Hodgson had a debut to remember, claiming an England record 44 points, scoring two tries, kicking two penalties and 14 conversions, surpassing Paul Grayson's 36-point effort against Tonga during the World Cup two years ago.

England's landslide win was also a record - their previous best was 110-0 against the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier in 1998 - while the 20 tries overtook the 16 they amassed during that same game.

Fullback Jason Robinson led the way with four touchdowns, while wings Ben Cohen and Dan Luger each claimed hat-tricks.

England were 72 points up at halftime, confirming everybody's worst fears in a mismatch of monumental proportions.

Hodgson would have claimed a new world record, surpassing the 45 points that Simon Culhane scored for the All Blacks in that Japan match, but his final conversion attempt of Luger's last-minute try struck an upright.

* Wales ended one of the toughest weeks in their rugby history with a much-needed 51-7 defeat of Tonga at the Millennium Stadium.

A try from winger Gareth Thomas helped the Welsh on their way to a 19-7 lead at halftime, when Tonga were still in the game after Inoke Afeaki collected the ball from a scrappy lineout to score the tourists' only try.

But the Welsh took control after the break as Tonga lost their discipline and had centre Gus Ledger, who plays for Counties Manukau, sent off for stomping and two players sinbinned.

The home side ran in tries after the break from halfback Rob Howley and No 8 and captain Scott Quinnell. Jamie Robinson, Rhys Williams and Barry Williams added the further touchdowns.

Three conversions and five penalties from the boot of rugby league convert Iestyn Harris took some pressure off coach Graham Henry after last week's 30-16 defeat by Argentina.

The Welsh take on Australia in Cardiff this weekend.

- AGENCIES