USA skipper Dave Hodges admitted he was a worried man as Japan launched their second-half fightback at Gosford tonight.

The United States took a giant stride towards ending their unwanted World Cup record during a pulsating opening period against Japan in Gosford.

French coach Bernard Laporte extended his congratulations to Japan after the Cherry Blossoms put up a heroic show in Townsville tonight.

Aurelien Rougerie claimed two tries as France swamped World Cup minnows Japan in emphatic style in their World Cup Pool B encounter at the Dairy Farmers stadium.