International rugby roundup

Australia 30 Ireland 14

Australia got their first win in eight matches over a profligate Irish side in Dublin, two tries from winger Drew Mitchell, including one interception, and one for the more experienced Chris Latham, enough to turn around a 3-6 halftime deficit.

"It was a much-needed win and there's a lot of relief in the side," Latham said.

Ireland will rue not finishing off any of their tryscoring opportunities until Shane Horgan went over when it was too late to make any difference.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said his side were taught a harsh lesson.

The home side looked strong early on with their mobile back row regularly stripping Australian ball although, with its new line-up, Australia's front row - crushed by England last week - had an easier time of it from Ireland.

Irish lock Malcolm O'Kelly was taken off the field on a stretcher after a crunching tackle from Nathan Sharpe and centre Lote Tuqiri 15m out from Australia's line.

O'Gara, whose kicking from hand was poor, missed the ensuing penalty.

O'Sullivan said O'Kelly was knocked out cold but regained consciousness after being taken to hospital

South Africa 33 Wales 16

South Africa opened their European campaign with a comfortable win at the Millennium Stadium.

Two tries for Bryan Habana, another for his fellow winger Conrad Jantjes and a coup de grace at the death from replacement loose forward Danie Rossouw were enough to see off Wales, who nevertheless put in their best display of the month.

"We're improving in the scrum and the guys showed spirit until the final whistle - there were things we can build on," Wales coach Mike Ruddock said.

South Africa had problems with the officials, losing fullback Percy Montgomery for the last 10 minutes when he was sent off for a second yellow card offence.

France 43 Tonga 8

Big hits were on the menu in Toulouse where a physical Tonga side scored the first try and limited the home side to a 12-8 lead at the break.

Booed on to the field at the start of the second half, France turned things around with five tries.

"I think we were pathetic during the first half," said coach Bernard Laporte, whose side host the Springboks in Paris next weekend.

Argentina 39 Italy 22

In Genoa, two defensive slips in a couple of second-half minutes allowed Argentina to turn a well balanced 22-22 contest into a comfortable victory.

Pumas fullback Bernardo Stortoni and winger Federico Martin Aramburu went over in quick succession as the Argentines racked up four tries.