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Saturday, July 05, 2008


James Horwill: '...I'm scared of try-lines...'

Australia: 40: Tries: P Hynes, J Horwill, R Cross 2 Cons: M Giteau 4 Pens: M Giteau 4
France: 10: Tries: F Trinh-Duc Cons: D Yachvili Pens: F Trinh-Duc

Matt Giteau was majestic as the Wallabies gave the French a southern hemisphere masterclass to make it three wins out of three under Robbie Deans.

Giteau kicked eight out of eight and was instrumental for all four Australian tries to ensure a 2-0 series whitewash and record the Wallabies highest ever win over Les Bleus.

The joy was shortlived after injuries to the luckless Cameron Shepherd and sparkling Berrick Barnes overshadowed a comfortable victory.

Replacement Ryan Cross bagged a brace, adding to earlier scores from wing Peter Hynes and James Horwill, who kept up his 100% scoring record in Tests.

Giteau's pinpoint cross-field kick was gobbled up by Hynes for his and Australia's first score in front of his adoring local crowd. The influential playmaker kept the score ticking over with a string of penalties as only Sebastien Chabal showed any real signs of commitment and force.

The Western Force star swivelled away from trouble before unleashing a devastating reverse pass to young lock Horwill, whose over-embelished dive drew comparisons with a fat bloke doing a belly-flop.

But Australia's try-scorer's evening was cut short after copping a corker from Imannol Harinordoquy, which was probably a sign of karma for erupting a melee just before half-time.

Cross split the flat French defence from a sharp Giteau pass for his first before grabbing one of his less challenging tries to wrap up an embarrassing one-sided contest, even though there was just enough time for Francois Trinh-Duc to score a consolation.