WALLABY back Matthew Burke scored 19 points as New South Wales trounced the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) 44-10 yesterday to end the ACT's unbeaten run in the Super 12 rugby union tournament.
Considered one of the outsiders when the tournament began earlier this month, the ACT had won their first three matches against the highly rated New Zealand teams Wellington and Auckland and South Africa's Transvaal.
That unexpected run of success came to an abrupt end as Australian heavyweights New South Wales ran in six tries.
Outside centre Jason Madz crossed twice for NSW, while fullback Burke, fading Wallaby winger David Campese and flyhalf Scott Bowen all scored tries in a dynamic backline display.
Burke added four conversions and two penalty goals to his tally.
Prop Richard Harry added another try to become the sole forward on the scoresheet, with New South Wales picking up a bonus competition point for scoring more than four tries.
Fullback Joe Roff and winger Andrew Williams scored late consolation tries for the ACT.
England wing Jonathan Sleightholme, who marked his first season in the Five Nations with the Championship-clinching try against Ireland, is included in England's squad for next weekend's Hong Kong Sevens.
England are entering the Hong Kong tournament for the first time in preparation for when it becomes the World Cup Sevens next year.
