New Zealand, Australia win

PARIS -- New Zealand and Australia moved closer to the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals while Ireland stayed on course Saturday after escaping with a 14-10 victory over Georgia.

New Zealand beat Portugal, 108-13, in Lyon, with 13 All Blacks players crossing the line in a 16-try performance. Two-time champion Australia overcame Wales, 32-20, in Cardiff and is almost certain to avoid South Africa in the quarterfinals.

Ireland was expected to play better after struggling to a 32-17 victory over Namibia. But when Brian O’Driscoll’s team returned to Bordeaux to face Georgia it played even worse. Ireland has two victories and shares the points lead with Argentina at the top of Group D.

Portugal’s team of amateurs suspected it was in for a rough day but trailed only 12-3 in the 22nd minute. Then the All Blacks responded with five tries in the next 12 minutes to immediately snuff out any hopes the Portuguese had.

“We started a little slower than we did last week (a 76-14 victory over Italy), and I put that down to Portugal,” New Zealand Coach Graham Henry said. “Then we got into a rhythm and we’re pretty pleased with how they played.”

Added Portugal Coach Tomaz Morais: “We have to play against teams like this for rugby to evolve.

Australia played at Millennium Stadium knowing that it was likely the loser would face a strong South Africa team in the quarterfinals. The Springboks look almost certain to finish atop Group A after outplaying England, 36-0, on Friday.

Australia has a maximum 10 points from two Group B games and Wales is tied with Fiji at five, although the Pacific islanders have a game in hand.

France plays host to Namibia today in Toulouse.

In other games, Fiji and Canada meet in Group B in Cardiff, and Pacific neighbors Samoa and Tonga face each other in Group A at Montpellier.