Australia 55 Fiji 12

Matt Giteau was scintillating as the Wallabies let fly with a 55-12 hiding of Fiji before a packed crowd in hot and humid conditions at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier.

Giteau accumulated 27 points, including two tries, as the Wallabies crossed the line seven times on the back of dominating possession, territory and the set-pieces.

Australia took until the 17th minute to get on the board following a busting run by No.8 Wycliff Palu. As Lote Tuqiri attempting to offload inside to Adam Ashley-Cooper, Fijian outside centre Maleli Kunavore attempted an intercept only for the ball to ricochet into the arms of Matt Giteau. His conversion made it 7-0.

The Wallabies spent most of the first half in Fijian territory, spreading the ball wide between intermittent midfield surges from the forwards. Tuqiri, relishing the challenge of attacking the Fijian defence, more than once burst down the sideline in space.

Although there was plenty of loose ball for the Wallabies to exploit, it wasn't until they scored again that their dominance was reflected on the scoreboard.

A Giteau penalty put Australia 10-0 up in the 27th minute after Welsh referee Nigel Owens ruled against Fiji for a questionable hand-in-the-ruck infringement.

In the 32nd minute, a deft left-footed grubber by fullback Chris Latham 40 metres out was scooped up by winger Drew Mitchell to cross.

Giteau nailed the conversion and then added a five-pointer of his own five minutes later. After collecting a pass from Palu five metres out, Giteau shimmied, then dummied right before charging between two defenders.

Just before half-time Fijian left wing Isoa Neivua scored out wide to narrow the margin to 22-5 at the break.

The Wallabies made the best of their territorial advantage early in the second half, with a penalty to Giteau and a drop goal to Berrick Barnes from 35m out.

Quick thinking by Fijian halfback Mosese Raulini in the 47th minute, however, saw Fiji post their second try. The Fiji skipper ran through a gap in the Wallabies defence at the lineout 10m inside Australia's half and then flipped the ball inside to flanker Aca Ratuva, who raced away with open space in front of him. Although the conversion made the score 28-12, the Wallabies were never really in serious danger. And composure against a side as unpredictable as Fiji paid dividends.

Again it was Giteau who showed the way. He picked out Ashley-Cooper with a beautiful pass from a scrum 5m from Fiji's line. Ashley-Cooper, running full speed and at a terrific line, flew through the Fijian defence to score near the posts.

Giteau's conversion extended Australia's lead to 38-12, but they weren't done yet. Tuqiri picked up loose ball on the counter-attack and passed inside for Mitchell to score again.

In the 73rd minute, reserve back Julian Huxley was tackled short of the line, before substitute Stephen Hoiles stretched over to notch up the half century for Australia.

Mitchell added one more for his hat-trick before the final whistle.

AUSTRALIA 55 (Drew Mitchell 3, Matt Giteau 2, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stephen Hoiles tries; Giteau 4 cons 3 pens, Berrick Barnes drop goal) bt FIJI 12 (Isoa Nevua, Aca Ratuva tries; Seremaia Bai 1 con) at Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier. Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales). Crowd: 32,321.