All Blacks fire World Cup warning, Ireland edge Scots

New Zealand blasted out an impressive warning Saturday with a 41-13 rout of Australia as Ireland edged Scotland 28-22 on a packed weekend of World Cup dress rehearsals.

Thirty-four days out from the start of the 2015 World Cup, the defending champions All Blacks marked skipper Richie McCaw's record 142nd Test appearance with a five-try demolition of Australia in Auckland.

New Zealand's pride was wounded when they lost the Rugby Championship decider 27-19 to the Wallabies a week ago, and they were determined to make amends and retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 13th consecutive year.

The All Blacks scored five tries with Dane Coles, Ma'a Nonu (twice) and Conrad Smith crossing the line along with a penalty try, while Dan Carter booted all five conversions and two penalties.

The Wallabies, who have scored at least two tries in their past nine Tests, were limited to one late touchdown by Israel Folau and two Quade Cooper penalties.

"They came out and put us under a bit of pressure territory wise and possession wise and we stuck together and got turnovers when we needed to get them and slowly put our impression on the game," said Al Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
The All Blacks are in Pool C at the World Cup, which starts in England on September 18, along with Argentina, Tonga, Georgia and Namibia.

Australia are in Pool A with England, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay.

In Dublin, Ireland beat Scotland 28-22 at Lansdowne Road which featured seven tries in all.

World number two Ireland were level 7-7 with their visitors at the break after flanker Chris Henry and loose forward Blair Cowan had exchanged tries.

Scotland twice led in the second period but further tries from Sean Cronin, Simon Zebo and Luke Fitzgerald just proved decisive for Ireland.

- Lung-busting -

The Scots could take heart from seeing skipper Henry Pyrgos and Peter Horne also cross after the interval.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt made 14 changes to the team that beat Wales 35-21 in Cardiff last weekend.
"I thought it was a genuine test. The lungs were bursting at times and we dropped off tackles," said Schmidt.

"It was a test of character, falling behind a number of times and having to rebuild. I think we showed a bit of rustiness."

Ireland are in Pool D at the World Cup alongside France, Italy, Romania and Canada while Scotland will play in Pool B with South Africa, Samoa, Japan and the United States.

In Tokyo, Fijian-born winger Taqele Naiyaravoro gave his hopes of a World Cup call-up by Australia a power of good by scoring a hat-trick of tries in a World XV 45-20 win over Japan.

New Zealand scrum-half Andy Ellis scored two more tries for the visitors.

Later Saturday, rugby league convert Sam Burgess makes his England debut at centre against France at Twickenham.

Burgess, 26, has been fast-tracked into the international set-up after switching codes to play for Bath having helped the South Sydney Rabbitohs win Australian rugby league's Grand Final.
Northampton flanker Calum Clark is the other new boy picked by the World Cup hosts who will be anxious to pick up where they left off following a thrilling 55-35 Six Nations victory over France five months ago.

In Buenos Aires, two-time world champions South Africa hope to prevent a second humiliating defeat by Argentina in rapid succession.

Argentina scored a stunning 37-25 win in Durban last Saturday -- the first against South Africa in 20 attempts spanning 23 years.

Such was the shock, South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer even apologised to the nation for the lacklustre performance.
Source: AFP