NZ crush France, Boks humbled

LONDON – New Zealand outclassed France 47-3 in a lopsided clash between world rugby’s top two teams, and Argentina extended England’s woes with a historic 25-18 win at Twickenham on Saturday.

Also, Ireland humbled South Africa 32-15, Australia edged Italy 25-18 in Rome, Wales accounted for the Pacific Islanders 38-20 at Cardiff, and Scotland romped past Romania 48-6 at Murrayfield. Namibia qualified for next year’s World Cup, finishing off Morocco 27-8 in Casablanca, and Georgia was one step from joining the Namibians in France after beating Portugal 17-3 in Tbilisi.The All Blacks showed why they’re the undisputed World Cup favourite when they crushed the Six Nations champion by seven tries to nil in Lyon, the third straight time they have notched 40 points on France.France, riding a six-test winning run, was expected to run the All Blacks close, but failed to score a try for the first time since February 2005.The teams play a second test at Stade de France next Saturday, and the news doesn’t get better for Laporte.France hasn’t beaten the All Blacks in Paris for more than 50 years, and New Zealand coach Graham Henry promised to field his best team there.He made 10 changes following last week’s record 40-21 win over England at Twickenham, but few would have noticed a difference on Saturday.Sitiveni Sivivatu dotted down twice, along with captain Richie McCaw, flyhalf Daniel Carter, centres Conrad Smith and Luke McAlister, and winger Joe Rokocoko.Florian Fritz’s drop goal was France’s only points.Argentina’s defence was also remarkable, holding off a late England fightback for a first victory at Twickenham, and the Pumas’ first against England since 1997.Federico Todeschini, substituted in after 30 minutes, led the Pumas with 22 points.His third penalty for 12-10 just after halftime gave Argentina its first lead, and it never gave it up.The loss, England’s seventh straight, equalled its worst ever run of defeats from 1904-06 and 1971-72, and left Andy Robinson’s coaching position in doubt 10 months out from the start of its World Cup title defence.Robinson has lost 12 of 20 matches in charge.Ireland topped South Africa 32-15 at Lansdowne Road, only its third win over the Springboks in 18 attempts.Tries by Andrew Trimble, David Wallace, Marcus Horan and Shane Horgan, and 12 points from Ronan O’Gara helped Ireland carry a 22-3 lead at halftime to a convincing win over a Springboks side which debuted three backs.Francois Steyn one of the new Boks and Bryan Habana scored tries to rally the visitors in the second spell.In Rome, Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a try and kicked over 10 points on his return from a month-long injury layoff.His Wallabies weren’t as polished coming from behind against Italy to post their first win in three tour matches.Mat Rogers’ and Guy Shepherdson’s tries helped Australia overcome six penalties from Italy flyhalf Ramiro Pez.In Cardiff, Ceri Sweeney converted all five Wales tries, including his own, against the Pacific Islanders to help coach Gareth Jenkins win his first match since he took charge in April.Despite 14 changes from the side which drew Australia 29-29 last week, Wales strolled to a 31-5 lead by halftime.Mark Jones, James Hook, Kevin Morgan and Lee Byrne also crossed for Wales, which snapped a six-test winless streak.The Islanders’ European debut started off slowly, but finished in a rush through tries by Justin Va’a, Seilala Mapusua and Kameli Ratuvou.At Murrayfield, Scotland answered the call from coach Frank Hadden to “smash” Romania and delivered a 48-6 result but at possible cost, as captain Jason White sustained a knee injury that could rule him out of the remainder of the November internationals.Nampa-APNamibia qualified for next year’s World Cup, finishing off Morocco 27-8 in Casablanca, and Georgia was one step from joining the Namibians in France after beating Portugal 17-3 in Tbilisi.The All Blacks showed why they’re the undisputed World Cup favourite when they crushed the Six Nations champion by seven tries to nil in Lyon, the third straight time they have notched 40 points on France.France, riding a six-test winning run, was expected to run the All Blacks close, but failed to score a try for the first time since February 2005.The teams play a second test at Stade de France next Saturday, and the news doesn’t get better for Laporte.France hasn’t beaten the All Blacks in Paris for more than 50 years, and New Zealand coach Graham Henry promised to field his best team there.He made 10 changes following last week’s record 40-21 win over England at Twickenham, but few would have noticed a difference on Saturday.Sitiveni Sivivatu dotted down twice, along with captain Richie McCaw, flyhalf Daniel Carter, centres Conrad Smith and Luke McAlister, and winger Joe Rokocoko.Florian Fritz’s drop goal was France’s only points.Argentina’s defence was also remarkable, holding off a late England fightback for a first victory at Twickenham, and the Pumas’ first against England since 1997.Federico Todeschini, substituted in after 30 minutes, led the Pumas with 22 points.His third penalty for 12-10 just after halftime gave Argentina its first lead, and it never gave it up.The loss, England’s seventh straight, equalled its worst ever run of defeats from 1904-06 and 1971-72, and left Andy Robinson’s coaching position in doubt 10 months out from the start of its World Cup title defence.Robinson has lost 12 of 20 matches in charge.Ireland topped South Africa 32-15 at Lansdowne Road, only its third win over the Springboks in 18 attempts.Tries by Andrew Trimble, David Wallace, Marcus Horan and Shane Horgan, and 12 points from Ronan O’Gara helped Ireland carry a 22-3 lead at halftime to a convincing win over a Springboks side which debuted three backs.Francois Steyn one of the new Boks and Bryan Habana scored tries to rally the visitors in the second spell.In Rome, Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a try and kicked over 10 points on his return from a month-long injury layoff.His Wallabies weren’t as polished coming from behind against Italy to post their first win in three tour matches.Mat Rogers’ and Guy Shepherdson’s tries helped Australia overcome six penalties from Italy flyhalf Ramiro Pez.In Cardiff, Ceri Sweeney converted all five Wales tries, including his own, against the Pacific Islanders to help coach Gareth Jenkins win his first match since he took charge in April.Despite 14 changes from the side which drew Australia 29-29 last week, Wales strolled to a 31-5 lead by halftime.Mark Jones, James Hook, Kevin Morgan and Lee Byrne also crossed for Wales, which snapped a six-test winless streak.The Islanders’ European debut started off slowly, but finished in a rush through tries by Justin Va’a, Seilala Mapusua and Kameli Ratuvou.At Murrayfield, Scotland answered the call from coach Frank Hadden to “smash” Romania and delivered a 48-6 result but at possible cost, as captain Jason White sustained a knee injury that could rule him out of the remainder of the November internationals.Nampa-AP