Australia bounced back from their humbling defeat against USA with a comfortable 26-12 win over France last night to reach the World Rugby Classic Plate final.

The Wallabies will take on Canada, who last night brushed aside Italy 19-14, in tonight’s first game before South Africa face Argentina in the showpiece event.

Still smarting from their surprise loss against USA on Monday, Australia were keen to restore their some pride against the French, who were beaten by the Springboks in their opening game.

Tries from Shannon Heggerty, Nick Henderson, Brett Sheehan and Steve Kefu helped Australia to victory in a heated match against Les Blues.

Andrew Walker, one of the first high profile players to play both international codes of the game, kicked two conversions with Gavin DeBartolo adding another.

France offered some resistance but never looked like troubling the Wallabies. Their try scorers were Olivier Ottondo and Franck Comba, with Julien Laharrague and Petre Mitu both converting.

In last night’s first game Canada proved too strong for Italy with tries from Garth Cooke, Olivier Atkinson and Hayden Gage, plus two conversion from Derek Daypuck.

Paulo Baratelli scored a try while Ramiro Pez both kicked conversions in Italy’s defeat.