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Australians outclass sorry Namibia
ADELAIDE, Australia -- Australia re-wrote the World Cup record books when they thrashed a hopelessly outclassed Namibia 142-0 in a pool A miss-match. The score was three points short of New Zealand's tournament record 145-17 win over Japan in 1995 but was by far the biggest winning margin. Australia's total of 22 tries was a Cup record while fullback Chris Latham set a new Australian best with five tries, the second best in World Cup history. Wing Mat Rogers set an Australian individual points record of 42 from two tries and 16 conversions. Winger Lote Tuqiri and stand-in flyhalf Matt Giteau also got hat-tricks as 11 different players crossed the line plus a penalty try. For the happy but faintly bemused full house watching the cricket scoreboard clicking over by the minute it was a bizarre first taste of international rugby at the famous old Adelaide Oval ground. The score easily eclipsed Australia's previous World Cup best, last week's 90-8 demolition of Romania, and their best in any match, a 92-10 win over Spain two years ago. Namibia, who lost their opening games 67-14 to Argentina and 64-7 to Ireland, barely made a tackle, failed to compete at the setpiece or breakdown and never once threatened to score. Australia coach Eddie Jones had kept only four of his starting team from last week's Romania game and the second string players certainly enjoyed their time in the limelight. Latham got the massacre under way with a try after two minutes. By halftime he had four to his name with number eight David Lyons, Stirling Mortlock, Tuqiri (2), Rogers, hooker Henry Paul and a penalty try taking the halftime score to 69-0. For all Namibia's inability to compete, it was entertaining stuff as Australia hit the wings at every opportunity and showed crisp passing and determined running. Giteau got his name on the scoresheet a minute after the restart and Tuqiri completed his hat-trick soon after. Nathan Grey, two more for Giteau, two for replacement Morgan Turinui and one for replacement Matt Burke took Australia past the century mark before Latham raced in on the left for his fifth. Rogers added his second before Roe completed a great debut with the 22nd to surpass New Zealand's record of 21. Australia now need to beat Ireland to top pool A and set up a probable quarter-final against Scotland. Copyright 2003 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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