Bad weekend for tri-nations teams

An elated Ireland team are savouring a rare victory over Australia, after a flawless kicking display from first five-eighths Ronan O'Gara propelled them to an 18-9 win yesterday.

Led by centre Brian O'Driscoll, captaining the side in the absence of the injured Keith Wood, Ireland outplayed the world champions at a wet and windy Lansdowne Rd in Dublin.

"The mood in the dressing room is one of elation," O'Driscoll said, adding that he would be happy to hand the captaincy back to Wood "with a 100 per cent record."

"We've been nearly men for a while, against South Africa two years ago and twice against New Zealand."

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said the conditions had a big impact on both teams' game plans.

"Both sides wanted to run the ball, but it wasn't a day for that," he said.

"It was a day for good, solid defence and good, hard tackling.

"We didn't score any tries, but more important they didn't score any tries."

Australia coach Eddie Jones said his side's skill levels let them down.

"In those conditions you need a high degree of skill, and we didn't come up to the mark."

The Irish pack harried, tackled, rucked and mauled their green socks off to deny the Australians the platform they required for their normal expansive game.

Ireland led 12-3 at halftime.

* Francois Gelez secured 17 points as France beat South Africa 30-10 in Marseille.

The French, dominant for most of the match and leading 12-3 at halftime, found themselves on the back foot for the first time immediately after the break.

But then they fashioned something from nothing as flanker Oliver Magne broke out of the French 22m before feeding right-winger Vincent Clerc, sparking a move that saw halfback Fabien Galthie chipping a crossfield kick to left-winger Cedric Heymans who caught the ball above his head before racing in.

Another penalty from Francois Gelez seemed to put the match beyond the Springboks, but South Africa refused to give up and No 8 Joe van Niekurk went over after good work from winger Breyton Paulse to revive their challenge at 22-10.

Gelez added a further three points before Springbok halfback Neil de Kock was robbed of what he thought was a try when the video referee decided he had crossed the dead-ball line before grounding the ball.

The video official was back in action soon afterwards and again ruled against South Africa, allowing Clerc a try on his debut.

* The roof of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff protected Wales and Fiji from the worst of the British weather and the home side took full advantage of the conditions by running in seven tries to banish all hopes of a Fiji upset, winning 58-14.

Stephen Jones vindicated coach Steve Hansen's decision to play him at first five-eighth by kicking 21 points.

* Scotland bounced back from their humiliating defeat to Canada in June to overcome a tough challenge from a resilient Romania side at Murrayfield, winning 37-10.

Next weekend, France host New Zealand, England meet Australia and Scotland take on South Africa.

- AGENCIES