
World Cup warm-up a tough one for Aussies
IT took a spectacular coast-to-coast try by Kurtley Beale with just 11 minutes remaining for the Aussies to finally wrap up their match against the USA in Chicago.
The American Eagles pushed the Wallabies all the way in the 47-10 victory, in what was the last hit-out for the men in gold before the World Cup.
The hosts trailed by just four points at half-time, the Wallabies opting to not take penalty kicks for goal after the Eagles continually made ruck infringements.
A man-of-the-match performance from flanker Sean McMahon (pictured) - who crossed for his first Test try - secured the victory in Australia's first Test on US soil since 1976. Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Dean Mumm, Beale, Quade Cooper and Taqele Naiyaravoro also scored five-pointers.
In other World Cup warm-ups, England recorded a solid 21-13 win over Ireland at Twickenham, and Wales beat Italy 23-19 in Cardiff.
For England, fine tries to Jonny May and Anthony Watson secured the team's victory, while Ireland will go into the World Cup after two consecutive defeats.
Injuries to halfback Rhys Webb and fullback Leigh Halfpenny cast a shadow over Wales' victory over the Italians.
Webb twisted his left leg under pressure at a ruck, and underwent six minutes of treatment on the pitch.
Halfpenny turned his right knee in the 69th minute while trying to field a kick, with nobody else near him.
He had earlier kicked five penalties to become the third player to pass 500 points for Wales.
