Aussies secure bonus point in first half

Australia 22 United States 5

Four first-half tries saw Australia put their World Cup Pool C campaign back on course against the United States in Wellington.

Still reeling from the 15-6 loss to Ireland in Auckland, the Wallabies were intent on making a statement and Robert Horne, Rocky Elsom, Kurtley Beale and Anthony Faingaa crossed for tries and Quade Cooper added one conversion.

JJ Gagiano responded with a try for the USA.

Centre Horne opened the scoring with his first Test try after eight minutes, touching down in the corner following Cooper’s burst.

A second came three minutes later as flanker Elsom waltzed over following a slick move which included Drew Mitchell running into the line.

The USA, though, showed they were not to be taken lightly when number eight Gagiano crashed over after breaking off a five-metre scrum following persistent pressure.

Australia flexed their muscles again when Elsom burst out of his own 22 following a turnover, Adam Ashley-Cooper forged forward and Beale went over.

Another soon followed as Faingaa burrowed over following Horne’s strong run before Beale withdrew a minute before the interval with an apparent groin problem and was replaced by Berrick Barnes.