Aussies start with win

Australia started their Tri-Nations campaign with a hard-fought 16-9 victory over South Africa in Perth.

The world champions started brightly as they took the lead courtesy of a Francois Steyn penalty but the Aussies hit back to eventually lead 5-3 at the break following a Lote Tuqiri try scored.

A Matt Giteau penalty following Stirling Mortlock's powerful finish put Australia in control with a 10-point advantage but after Butch James and Steyn converted a pair of penalties it was a late Berrick Barnes drop-goal that eased any nerves the hosts may have had.

South Africa enjoyed the upper hand for a large part of the opening period but only had Steyn's sixth-minute penalty to show for all their territorial advantage.

And they found themselves behind at the break when Tuqiri managed to finish off a sweeping attack getting over in the corner with five minutes of the first half remaining.

The Wallabies extended their advantage five minutes after the break as skipper Mortlock drove powerfully over but Giteau was unable to land the extras. However, he made amends with a penalty after 51 minutes to give Australia a 13-3 lead.

South Africa fought back and again started to dominate, resulting in penalties from James and Steyn as the gap was closed to just four points but Australia weathered the storm and hit back with a Barnes' drop-goal in the 80th minute to ensure the Wallabies made a winning start to this season's Tri-Nations campaign.