Australia (26) 40
Tries: Hynes, Horwill, Cross 2 Cons: Giteau 4 Penalties: Giteau 4
France (3) 10
Tries: Trinh-Duc Cons: Yachvili Penalties: Trinh-Duc
A Matt Giteau-inspired Australia produced a devastating performance to crush an impotent France in Brisbane.
The fly-half set up a score for Peter Hynes before a superb break and reverse offload saw lock James Horwill touch down for a 26-3 half-time lead.
The onslaught continued in the second half as replacement centre Ryan Cross touched down twice, with Giteau adding the extras to finish with 20 points.
Fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc scored a late consolation try for France.
Although coach Marc Lievremont rung the changes after last week's 34-13 defeat in Sydney, France were once again outclassed by an expansive Australia side brilliantly marshalled by Giteau.
Hynes collected the fly-half's pinpoint cross-field kick on seven minutes before Giteau's audacious handling skills set up Horwill for an outrageous score four minutes before the half-time interval.
606: DEBATE
Giteau landed both conversions, along with four penalties, taking him past the 300-point mark for Australia.
France's solitary score came from a penalty from Trinh-Duc following an ugly scrap a minute before the break, which left Horwill with a black eye after exchanging blows with France number 8 Imanol Harinordoquy.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans brought on Cross for the second half and the former rugby league player made a significant impact with two tries, with Giteau once again the provider.
However, the Australians will have concerns about full-back Cameron Shepherd, who was taken off the field with a potentially serious leg injury.
And while Shepherd was receiving treatment, Trinh-Duc ran in France's only try in the final minute.
Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper; Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Lachlan Turner; Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Rocky Elsom, Phil Waugh, Stephen Hoiles.
Replacements: Adam Freier, Ben Alexander, Hugh McMeniman, George Smith, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Cameron Shepherd.
France: Benjamin Thiery; Alexis Palisson, Maxim Mermoz, Thibault Lacroix, David Janin; Francois Trinh-Duc, Sebastian Tillous-Borde; Pierre Correia, Sebastien Bruno, Renaud Boyoud, Sebastien Chabal, Lionel Nallet (capt), Matthieu Lievremont, Imanol Harinordoquy, Fulgence Ouedraogo.
Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Benoit Lecouls, David Couzinet, Louis Picamoles, Yannick Caballero, Dimitri Yachvili, Jean-Baptiste Peyras.
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