International: Giteau masterclass sinks France; Parisse cited as All Blacks beat Italy

Matt Giteau scored all of Australia’s points as the Wallabies beat France 22-6 in Sydney to conclude a testing week for ‘Les Bleus’.

Giteau kicked five penalties and a conversion in addition to his first-half try as Australia continued their positive build up to the forthcoming Tri-Nations.

The fly-half set the home side on their way with his 18^th minute try, paving the way for Australia to make it four wins on the spin against France.

It was a disappointing end to France’s southern hemisphere tour – following a 1-1 draw with New Zealand – but hardly surprising given the fatigued legs of their players and the Mathieu Bastareaud controversy which enveloped the squad this week.

A 10-3 half-time deficit offered hope of a belated rally, but Giteau’s boot punished them heavily with successful penalty kicks in the 44^th, 46^th, 52^nd and 57^th minutes – essentially ending the match as a contest.

Veteran Aussie flanker George Smith equalled Jason Little’s record of 11 tests against France and enjoyed a cracking game on his 99^th appearance in the green and gold, being voted man of the match for his tireless efforts.

“It was good tonight, the scrum and the lineout,” he told reporters afterwards. “So we were very pleased with some aspects of the game. It was pretty intense at the breakdown too, but I know we can improve on that,” he added.

France’s only points came via Lionel Beauxis’ 21^st-minute penalty and a 61^st-minute effort from Dimitri Yachvili, leaving them still searching for their first win in Australia since 1990.

Over in Christchurch, the All Blacks laboured to an unconvincing 27-6 home win against Italy.

Joe Rokocoko scored the only try of the first-half as New Zealand opened up a 13-3 advantage, before further scores from Isaac Ross and debutant George Whitelock wrapped up the victory.

Fly-half Luke McAlister’s cross-field kick set up Rokocoko’s effort, while a devastating break from Isaia Toeva left Ross with an easy run in before the latter teed up replacement flanker Whitelock for the third score.