Wallabies waltz into World Cup finals
Posted: Tuesday September 22, 1998 01:10 PM
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Australia's victory left them top of the four-nation round-robin tournament with just one game to go David Rogers/Allsport |
CANBERRA, Australia (Reuters) -- Australia qualified for the 1999 rugby union World Cup on Tuesday by thrashing Tonga 74-0 in a South Pacific regional qualifying match at Canberra's Bruce Stadium.
The Wallabies overwhelmed its South Pacific neighbors with 12 tries in its second-biggest ever win - just two points shy of their 76-0 victory over England this year.
In the group's other match, also at the Bruce Stadium, Fiji produced a stirring late comeback to beat Samoa 26-18 in a thrilling encounter.
Australia's victory left them top of the four-nation round-robin tournament with just one game to go. The top three sides from the competition automatically qualify for the World Cup while the fourth-placed country gets a second chance in the repechage tournament.
"We're obviously very happy with the win, it was a bit one-sided but we did what we had to do, which was to qualify for the World Cup," Australia coach Rod Macqueen said.
"I was especially pleased with some of the younger players. It was a game that could have deteriorated but I felt the players kept their discipline really well."
The Wallabies were never troubled, despite fielding a vastly understrength team. They scored their first try through hooker Jeremy Paul after just five minutes and raced to a 41-0 halftime lead.
The Tongans kept Australia out for the opening 16 minutes of the second term but always strugged against a side that dominated every facet of play.
Australia seemed to score at will, running the ball from deep inside its own territory.
Winger Jason Little was the main beneficiary, finishing with four tries to equal Greg Cornelsen and David Campese's Australian match record.
Rookie fly-half Manuel Edmonds scored two late tries and kicked five conversions for a personal tally of 20 points.
Chris Whitaker, Tim Horan, Brett Robinson, Owen Finegan and Joe Roff also crossed for five pointers while Australian captain John Eales landed two first-half conversions before leaving the field at the interval.
Fiji, who opened their campaign on Friday with a 66-20 loss to Australia, were trailing 18-12 with less than five minutes to go. But winger Fero Lasagavibau scored out wide and repacement fly-half Waisale Serevi slotted the conversion from the touchline to put them one point ahead.
They sealed the win with a penalty try in the final minute when Samoan scrum-half Steven S'oialo deliberately punched the ball into touch.
Fiji had led 9-8 at the interval after three penalties from Nicky Little but Samoa, who scored the only try of the first half through hooker Trevor Leota, looked to have opened up a commanding lead after fullback Mike Umaga scored a try and fly-half Stephen Bachop kicked a conversion and a penalty.
The result left the two sides tied for second place in the tournament, although the Samoans, who beat Tonga 28-20 on Friday, have a better percentage.
The Samoans will face Australia in the final round while Fiji play Tonga.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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