Australia, France reach RWC quarters at a price
Friday, September 30, 2011
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- Australia and France paid a price for reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals Saturday, with the Wallabies apparently losing winger Drew Mitchell to another injury and France struggling in a loss to Tonga.
Injury-plagued Australia routed Russia 68-22, but Mitchell pulled up with a left hamstring injury while racing toward what would have been his third try of the match at Nelson.
France, in disarray from injuries and a coach whose experimental selections aren't providing confidence, fell 19-14 against Tonga in Wellington.
England and Scotland played for a quarterfinal spot in the late match at Eden Park, in the first clash between international rugby's oldest rivals on neutral soil.
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