8th Rugby WC: Australia, Scotland subdue opponents

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BIRMINGHAM: Australia bags a second consecutive win in 8th Rugby World Cup in England in Pool A, while Scotland overcomes USA in Pool B match.

Australia’s second-string showed how to finish with an 11-try blitz, thumping Uruguay 65-3.

Left winger Drew Mitchell scored two of them to take his test tally to 32 — including 12 in World Cups.

Flankers Sean McMahon and Ben McCalman also got two each, with centers Henry Speight, Matt Toomua, and Tevita Kuridrani, right winger Joseph Tomane, and lock and captain Dean Mumm also scoring.

‘There are a few players that definitely put their hands up for selection, there’s no doubt about that,’ Australia coach Michael Cheika said. ‘Uruguay have got no shortage of desire and they came hard at us. I enjoyed that part of the game.’

It was a fun warm-up for Australia ahead of next weekend’s crucial game against England, which needs to bounce back after losing 28-25 to Wales.

In Leeds, Scotland scored five tries in another second-half show at the Rugby World Cup to beat the United States 39-16 and move into first place in Pool B.

Using a swarming defense and a strong scrum, the Eagles were on course for their fourth and easily most stunning win at the tournament after taking a 13-6 lead at halftime on prop Titi Lamositele’s try.