Wallabies rewrite records against French

The Wallabies' spring tour has ended on a high note with a record 59-16 thrashing of
France in Paris.
Australia scored seven tries to a lone France penalty try in front of 80,000 on a
cold night at the Stade de France, the 43-point margin smashing their previous best
of 30 set in Brisbane in 2008.
It also topped Australia's previous highest score against France, 48, achieved in 1990.
And, in a major boost after some wobbly goalkicking in recent weeks, winger James
O'Connor booted 10 from 12, with his try beating Matt Burke's haul of 25 points in
1999 with a personal tally of 29.
The Australians can now reflect on a tour with four Test wins out of five, including
a breakthrough over the All Blacks in Hong Kong and a massive victory over a
European power, the world No.5-ranked French.
The Wallabies had looked to be in big trouble at halftime with their scrum being
pummelled, resulting in the penalty try being awarded in the 30th minute which
levelled the match at 13-13.
But two second-half tries in three minutes to inspired prop Benn Robinson and
halfback Will Genia gave the visitors breathing space at 27-16 and silenced all but
the brass bands at either end of the stadium.
A late double to winger Drew Mitchell knocked the stuffing out of the French, whose
coach Marc Lievremont is still yet to register a win against the Wallabies in five
attempts.
But the embarrassment wasn't over for Les Bleus, whose utter capitulation allowed
Rocky Elsom and O'Connor to claim tries in the final four minutes.
Australia had struggled with every scrum set in the first 40 minutes, earning the
disapproval of New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence to concede four penalties and two
short-arms.
France's penalty try - which also led to tighthead prop Ben Alexander being
yellow-carded - had the scores locked at 13-13 at halftime and seemed to have the
home side right back into the match after they had been down 13-6.
France even briefly led at 16-13 early in the second half before Australia piled on
the last 46 points of the match.
The Australians might have seen some light at the end of the tunnel when they got
their first short-arm at a scrum in the 46th and they only needed to wait three
minutes before replacement prop Robinson crashed over.
Genia dummied and strolled over in the 52nd minute before the flood gates opened
with Mitchell's first in the 67th.
The Wallabies will take a psychological boost out of the win ahead of next year's
Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, but there remains a major question mark over their
scrum.