Pool B France - 41 USA - 14: Brian Liebenberg completed a hat-trick of tries as France demolished the United States 41-14 yesterday to finish their World Cup pool matches with maximum points.
Liebenberg crossed twice inside the first 18 minutes and landed a third try midway through the second half as the French scored their fourth big pool win to set up a quarter-final against either Ireland or Australia.
French outhalf Gerald Merceron opened the scoring with two early penalties before outside centre Liebenberg crossed for the opening try in the 14th minute.
Liebenberg scored again four minutes later when France won a scrum against the feed and slipped the ball out to give him a free run to the line. Tighthead prop Jean Baptiste Poux added another try and a late penalty from Merceron sent France into the break leading 26-0.
The United States began the second half strongly, scoring two quick tries only to let the French hit back on each occasion.
Kort Schubert charged over two minutes after the re-start for the Americans but France replied six minutes later when Liebenberg crossed for his third.
Mike Hercus, who was raised in Australia, scored the Americans' second try when he fooled the defence with a dummy and darted through a hole near the line but again France responded straight away with a try from Yannick Bru.
Dimitri Yachvili kicked a neat left-footed drop goal from the base of a ruck 17 minutes from time for the last score.
France: C Poitrenaud; P Elhorga, B Liebenberg, D Traille, D Bory; G Merceron, D Yachvili; O Milloud, Y Bru (captain), J Poux (S Marconnet 40), D Auradou, O Brouzet, S Chabal, P Tabacco, C Labit.
United States: J Buchholz; D Fee, P Eloff, S Sika (J Keyter 67), R van Zyl; M Hercus (M Sherman 74), K Dalzell (M Timoteo 30); M MacDonald, K Khasigian (M Wyatt 72), D Dorsey (J Waasdorp 61), A Parker, L Gross, K Schubert, D Hodges (captain), D Lyle (J Gouws 28).
Referee: P Honiss (New Zealand)
