Jauzion grabs hat-trick for France
BRISBANE, Australia (Reuters) -- Centre Yannick Jauzion scored a hat-trick of tries as France defeated Fiji 61-18 in their opening World Cup pool B match in Brisbane.
After trailing 24-8 at half-time, Fiji scored 10 points in the opening three minutes of the second half, including a wonderful try by wing Rupeni Caucaunibuca , who sliced through the French defense.
But France kept their composure and gained a bonus point.
Wing Christophe Dominici (two), number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, and hooker Raphael Ibanez all crossed the Fijian line.
Fly-half Frederic Michalak contributed 26 points with six penalties and four conversions.
The match exploded in the second half when France's Olivier Magne and flying Fijian winger Caucaunibuca were sent to the sin bin for brawling during a general free-for-all.
The seven-try performance gives the French the bonus of an extra point from the game. Scotland, Japan and the United States are the other teams in Group B, which the French are strong favorites to win.
Meanwhile, South Africa completed a crushing 72-6 victory over Uruguay in their opening pool C match in Perth, running in 12 tries.
Scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen crossed for two tries in the first six minutes and later completed his hat-trick as the South Africans, who led 36-6 at halftime, cruised to their biggest ever World Cup win.
Uruguay's points came from two first-half penalties by captain Diego Aguirre.
South Africa's previous biggest World Cup victory was 47-3 against Spain in 1999.
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