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Australia romp to a record victory
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) -- Elton Flatley scored a try after 18 seconds to spark Australia to a record 90-8 Pool A win over Romania in Brisbane. Flatley added 11 conversions and a penalty for a total of 30 points, while full-back Mat Rogers scored three tries. Matt Burke and Stephen Larkham notched two apiece as the world champions crossed their opponents' line 13 times in all. The margin eclipses Australia's previous biggest, a 76-0 win over England at the same stadium in 1998. Flatley took the opening kick-off and lock Nathan Sharpe regained possession with a leap over the Romanian pack. Hooker Brendan Cannon then crashed through three tackles on the subsequent phase and then Flatley took a pass from Stephen Larkham on the quarterline, broke two tackles and touched down under the posts. He converted to make it 7-0 and added a penalty goal in the eighth minute before setting up Australia's second try, palming off two defenders out wide on the 40 meter line, drawing the cover and unloading to give Rogers an unopposed run to the line in the 13th. Romania hit back after number eight George Chiriac snatched a lineout ball against the throw and barged to within a meter, then prop Petrisor Toderasc lunged over in the 20th minute for Romania's first try in three World Cup matches against Australia. Larkham put Burke into a gap and the outside center scored to the right of the posts. Australia earned a bonus point for its fourth try four minutes later after a 40-meter charge from Burke. Gregan found Rogers on the short side and the fullback skirted around the defense and scored under the posts. Flatley made it four from four conversions to make the score 31-5 after a half hour and then converted Burke's second try two minutes before half-time as the Wallabies took a 38-8 lead at the break. Ionut Tofan landed a penalty goal for Romania's only other points of the half. Australia withstood attacking pressure from Romania for eight minutes after half-time before Larkham scored from a quick tap and burrowed in under the posts. Stirling Mortlock replaced Burke in the 50th minute for his first Test appearance in 12 months and crossed for a try eight minutes later, opening the floodgates for the Australians. Joe Roff scored his fifth try in World Cups against the Romanians -- having figured in the wins in '95 and '99 -- on the hour. Larkham sliced through in the 62nd minute for his second of the match and then put Rogers into the clear and the fullback raced 60 meters for his third. Matt Giteau, who replaced skipper George Gregan at scrum-half after half-time scored his first try for the Wallabies after a swerving, 65-meter run in the 67th minute. Lote Tuqiri, a rugby league convert who usually plays on the wing, went on as a replacement flanker and barged over for his first try for the Wallabies from close range, while George Smith crossed for Australia's 13th try in the last four minutes. Australia opened its World Cup defense with a 24-8 win over Argentina to kick off the tournament in Sydney last week. Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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