Australia beat Argentina 24-8 in the opening match of RWC 2003 before a huge crowd of 81, 350 at Telstra Stadium in Sydney tonight.
Australia’s fly half Elton Flatley bagged 14 points in Australia's two tries to one victory.
Wendell Sailor stamped his class on the match proving a handful for the Pumas defence each time he touched the ball.
The former league international barged over for the first five pointer of the match in the 20th minute after No. 8 David Lyons created plenty of headaches for the Pumas defence through the midfield.
Good start
The defending champions title defence got off to a dream start with two penalty goals to Elton Flatley giving the Wallabies a 6-0 lead after 15 minutes.
With his brother Manuel yellow carded for tackling Rogers in the air in the 22nd minute, Felipe Contepomi posted Argentina’s first points of the match with a penalty in the 27th minute.
A Flatley penalty on half time gave Australia a 14-3 lead at the break.
Australia received an early blow in the second half with lock David Giffin stretchered from the field heavily concussed in the 41st minute.
Tight second half
In a tight second half both sides failed to make the most of several promising attacking raids with Sailor again proving a handful for the Pumas.
Argentina were unable to convert pressure to points until the 71st minute when fullback Ignacio Corleto received a brilliant pass from Jose Orengo to cross in the corner.
But veteran Wallaby wing Joe Roff replied almost immediately to put the result beyond doubt.
Try saver
A great try saving tackle by Gregan on Corleto in the 77th minute ended a late comeback from the Pumas.
“It was a scratchy performance in some ways but it is a positive start. The first game was a hard game. Argentina are a good team and we’re happy to build from this,” Australian skipper George Gregan said after the win.
Felipe Contepomi had an unhappy day with the boot for Argentina landing one from five attempts.
Argentina play Namibia on Tuesday at Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium while the Wallabies take on Romania at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday 18 October.
Remember to tune in tomorrow for our coverage of New Zealand versus Italy at 1430.
Australia: 24
Tries: Sailor, Roff
Conversions: Flatley
Penalties: Flatley (4)
Argentina: 8
Tries: Corleto
Penalties: Contepomi