LYON, France — Flanker Rocky Elsom scored three tries as Australia opened its World Cup campaign with a 91-3 mauling of Japan here on Saturday. The Australians led 23-3 at halftime after three first-half tries to put the Japanese to the sword in the second term with 10 more tries in a powerful and at times free-flowing start to the tournament.
The Wallabies scored 13 tries, 10 conversions and two penalty goals to Japan's lone penalty goal.
The Wallabies had the luxury of cotton-balling their playmaking fly-half Stephen Larkham 13 minutes after halftime, giving youngster Berrick Barnes his first international cap.
Barnes scored with his first touch backing up a George Gregan break to score in the 57th minute as Stirling Mortlock raised Australia's half-century with the conversion. It became a procession to the try-line as replacement Drew Mitchell (twice), flanker George Smith, Barnes, Latham and replacement hooker Adam Freier scoring tries as the Japanese surrendered.
Japan now has only one victory in 17 encounters at the World Cup beating hapless Zimbabwe 52-8 in 1991.
New Zealand 76, Italy 14
Meanwhile, the All Blacks hammered Italy to open their latest bid to end a run of failures at the Rugby World Cup. Doug Howlett scored three tries as the All Blacks touched down 11 times at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. Captain Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins and Sitiveni Sivivatu got two apiece. Fly- half Daniel Carter kicked seven conversions and a penalty.
"We were looking forward to playing this game for a long time," McCaw told reporters. "We capitalized on every opportunity we had."
The All Blacks, who have won 38 of their 43 Tests since losing in the 2003 semifinals, next play tournament debutant Portugal on Sept 15 in Lyon.
England 28, U.S. 10
Olly Barkley scored 18 points to lead England to a 28-10 win over the United States in a Group A match in the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.
After scoring two first-half tries at Felix Bollaert stadium, a lackluster England could only add one more after the interval to tie the second half 7-7 with the Eagles in a disappointing performance for the world champions.
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