Wallabies restore some pride

GENOA - Wallabies captain George Gregan lauded the spirit of his team-mates which lifted them out of two weeks of turmoil and restored some pride against Italy with a 34-3 win yesterday.

With a dour win over Argentina and miserable losses to Ireland and England behind them and stinging criticism still ringing in their ears, the Wallabies faced a no-win situation in their final test of a troubled tour.

Nothing less than a convincing win over Italy was expected and anything else would have seen them mercilessly slated when they arrived home tonight.

But in driving rain at Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Australia ran in five tries to none and could have scored several more against the Six Nations strugglers in front of a crowd of 22,000.

The win certainly didn't revive their diminishing World Cup hopes, but it did show some desire in trying circumstances.

"This tour has certainly strengthened our team spirit," Gregan said.

"You can fracture and people start looking for reasons other than examining themselves. Or you can dig yourself out of the hole as a unit, and I think that's the option we have chosen, and that has strengthened our resolve."

Despite the conditions, the Wallabies managed to move the ball around, with Scott Staniforth's two tries and Justin Harrison's first test touchdown all scored out wide.

Other tries came from Toutai Kefu and Stirling Mortlock. Italy's only points came from a Ramiro Pez penalty.

* In Dublin, Ireland ground out an uninspiring 16-7 win over Argentina in atrocious conditions at Lansdowne Rd.

The Irish will draw some comfort from the win after losing their previous two games against the Pumas, but there was little for the home crowd to cheer in a drab clash.

Ireland fullback Girvan Dempsey and Argentinian openside flanker Rolando Martin crossed the line for tries in the first half, but ultimately it was three penalty kicks from Munster first five-eighth Ronan O'Gara which separated the teams.

* In Paris, France were too strong for Canada, winning 35-3 at Stade de France.

The French scored four tries, all by the backs, with two to winger Vincent Clerc, another to David Bory on the other flank and one to centre Damien Traille. Gerald Merceron kicked 13 points and Traille added a conversion. Canada's solitary points came from a Bob Ross penalty.

- AGENCIES