Wallabies get back on track with 11-try rout

Australia put their World Cup Pool C campaign back on course with an 11-try rout of the United States Eagles in Wellington.

Still reeling from the 15-6 loss to Ireland in Auckland, the Wallabies were intent to make a statement and Robert Horne, Rocky Elsom, Kurtley Beale and Anthony Faingaa crossed as the bonus point was achieved in the opening 40 minutes, with JJ Gagiano responding with a try for the USA.

Adam Ashley-Cooper then scored three tries in seven minutes midway through the second half, while Drew Mitchell, Pat McCabe, Faingaa and Radike Samo also scored, with Quade Cooper and Berrick Barnes kicking four and eight points, respectively.

Centre Faingaa required lengthy treatment after suffering an apparent head injury when attempting a tackle and was taken off on the medical cart as Australia climbed to the top of the table ahead of Ireland’s clash with Russia on Sunday.

Beale and Wycliff Palu also appeared to withdraw early from the action due to injury.

The Americans showed that they were not to be taken lightly when their number eight Gagiano crashed over after breaking off a five-metre scrum following persistent pressure to make the score 10-5, and they held the Australians to 22-5 at the interval.

But that was as good as it got for the Eagles as the Wallabies flexed their muscles in the second period to score seven more tries, with Ashley-Cooper’s remarkable three-try contribution the highlight.