Australia were rampant on Saturday, destroying a second-string Japanese side, who were used largely as tackle bags by the huge Ozzy backs.

The Japanese had called the game a write-off before kick off, and had perhaps wisely fielded a second string side for damage limitation. However, in truth the 91-3 score line really did flatter the favourites, who were simply more clinical, particularly in the second half.

While the developing nation of Japan tried to play expansive and open rugby, the two time World Champions were brutal at the breakdown, and so dangerous at the turnover.

It's a style widely adopted by the big 3 Southern Hemisphere sides. It's not attractive, but it's very effective.

And Rocky Elmson was the biggest benefactor for the Aussies, getting a hat-trick from flanker! It means he joins Doug Howlett and Bryan Habanna as the tourments top try scorers after the first round of matches.

Chris Latham and Drew Mitchell both scored twice, as did Berrick Barnes who came on as a sub for his International debut. The other scorers were Nathan Sharpe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, George Smith and Adam Frier, as the favourites ran in 13 tries.

Japan's only points came from the boot Kosei Ono, who kicked a penalty in the first half, but in truth they deserved so much more. They will fare far better against group minors Fiji and Canada, who play far more to the style of Japan, and aren't quite as big as the Southern Hemisphere professionals.

While they remained competitive for much of the first half, fitness and the constant barrage of tackling guys so much bigger took their toile, and the second half became largely one sided, with 10 of the thirteen tries coming in the 2^nd half, after a score line of 23-3 at the end of 40 minutes.

Australia will go into their game with Wales high in confidence, while Japan certainly have positives to take into their next fixture.

There was some bad news for Australia however, back Mark Gerrard has been ruled out of the tournament after injuring his leg. Ironically, Gerrard had been on the field under a minute, after coming on a sub, when the injury happened.

"I pretty much knew straight away, when I heard it click. It's disappointing, especially at this point of the tournament."

Final Score
Australia 91 Japan 3

Australia Coach John Connolly Said;
"We haven't played for seven weeks so we expected to be a bit rusty in the first half but I thought we got it together in the second half. We're satisfied with our performance. We went out there to play a specific way and that's what we did. There were times when I thought we were a bit loose and we pushed some passes that should have stayed in hand, but it was a good start."

Japan Coach John Kirwan Said;
Nobody likes to lose like that but I don't have an issue with the result. The most important thing for me was the first 50 minutes. We're trying to build a team. We have a lot of young players and that was an important learning curve for them. Regardless of the score line, people could see that we were trying for 80 minutes and in the first half we managed to put the Australian side under pressure. I thought they were very clinical... and they will be there right to the end."

Australia:
Chris Latham; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan; Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Wycliff Palu.

Adam Freier, Guy Shepherdson, Hugh McMeniman, Stephen Hoiles, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Mark Gerrard.

Japan:
Tatsuya Kusumi, Tomoki Kitagawa, Koji Taira, Nataniela Oto, Hirotoki Onozawa, Kousei Ono, Yuki Yatomi; Masahito Yamamoto, Taku Inokuchi, Ryo Yamamura, Takanori Kumagae, Samurai Vatuvei, Yasunori Watanabe, Hajime Kiso, Takamichi Sasaki (capt).

Yuji Matsubara, Tomokazu Soma, Hitoshi Ono, Hare Makiri, Tomoki Yoshida, Yuta Imamura, Kosuke Endo

Scorers:

Australia (23) 91
Tries: Sharpe, Elsom 3, Ashley-Cooper, Latham 2, Barnes 2, Mitchell 2, Smith, Frier
Cons: Mortlock 7, Giteau 3
Pens: Mortlock 2

Japan (3) 3
Pen: Ono

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