Good news all the way for France as Fijians crumble

France - 61 Fiji - 18 France presented a relaxed front the day after demolishing Fiji in their World Cup opener at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

The squad had no injury concerns - in contrast to the problems for rivals Australia and New Zealand after their first matches.

Winger Aurelian Rougerie suffered a slight knock to his left knee and flanker Serge Betsen had two stitches in a cut eyebrow, while Olivier Magne was cleared of any serious injury after having precautionary X-rays on his jaw.

The absence of major problems for Les Bleus was reflected by a happy atmosphere at yesterday's morning press conference.

"It's good to know (the confidence) is there," said coach Bernard Laporte through an interpreter.

"It would have been very frustrating not to play well with all the work (we had done)," said manager Jo Maso.

More good news came from the tournament citing commissioner, who has called Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca to Sydney for a hearing but spared French flanker Magne further scrutiny after the two were both yellow-carded following a second-half incident.

Magne was left sprawling on the ground clutching his jaw, prompting the visit to hospital for a check-up.

The comprehensive win and, in particular, the fluidity of the back line despite fielding an untried centre partnership in Tony Marsh and Yannick Jauzion, means the French can contemplate their next match - against Japan in Townsville on October 18th - with some confidence.

Jauzion scored a hat-trick of tries as his side mixed their customary flair with composure to overwhelm Fiji.

The French led 24-8 at the interval, conceded a penalty and a try early in the second half but ran riot in the closing stages, scoring 37 points as Fiji crumbled into an ill-disciplined rabble.

FRANCE: N Brusque; A Rougerie (Elhorga 56), T Marsh, Y Jauzion (Traille 77), C Dominici; F Michalak (Merceron 77), F Galthie (capt); JJ Crenca, R Ibanez (Bru 78), J-P Poux, F Pelous, J Thion (Brouzet 70), S Betsen, O Magne (Labit 75), I Harinordoquy.

FIJI: N Ligairi (Serevi 59); V Delasau (Vunibaka 65), A Tuilevu, S Rabeni, R Caucaunibuca; N Little, M Raulini (Rabaka 78); R Nyholt, G Smith, J Veitayaki, I Rawaqa, A Naevo (Leawere 69), S Koyamaibole, K Salawa (Sewabu 57), A Doviverata (capt).

Referee: A Rolland (Ireland).