Australia 91 Japan 3
WALLABIES back-rower Rocky Elsom led Australia to a crushing 88-point victory over Japan in their World Cup opener in France by scoring three of their 13 tries.
But it wasn't all fun and games for the Wallabies, with reserve back Mark Gerrard in doubt for this week's clash against Wales at Cardiff after being helped from the field by two team officials in the 68th minute with a leg injury.
Gerrard, who had only come on a minute earlier for captain Stirling Mortlock, was smashed in his first run with the ball and clearly in distress as he left the field.
In warm, sunny conditions before a crowd of 40,043 at Stade Gerland in Lyons, Elsom bagged two tries in the first half to help Australia to a 23-3 half-time lead, and then his third just 90 seconds after coming back on for the second-half rout.
The game was always destined to be a big Wallabies win, even more so with the Cherry Blossoms playing without three of the best players due to injury, including world record Test tryscorer, winger Daisuke Ohata.
Nevertheless, it was an opportunity for the Wallabies to not only show where they were after not playing since July 21, but for individuals in the squad to display their wares.
Elsom clearly seized the day; as did so many others.
Australia left the Japanese ragged in the second half.
Elsom's third try at the 41st minute was followed by nine more to Adam Ashley-Cooper, Chris Latham (two tries), Berrick Barnes (two), who was making his Test debut, Drew Mitchell (two), George Smith and, finally, Adam Freier.
The Japanese came out courageously in the first half and were clearly ready to capitalise on any mistakes made by the Wallabies, twice turning over ball in the first five minutes.
In another attacking move by Australia, where Stephen Larkham cross-kicked into the Japanese corner with the plan being for right winger Lote Tuqiri to score, the ball instead went loose and ended in the hands of Japanese winger Hirotoki Onozawa, who brought the packed crowd to its feet with his 30m dash down the touchline.