Australia shrugged off the absence of Stephen Larkham and the half-time loss of captain Stirling Mortlock to crush Wales 32-20 at the Millennium Stadium and take pole position in Pool B.

Larkham, the world's most-capped fly half, pulled out on the morning of the match with a knee injury sustained in training and Mortlock was unable to return for the second half after picking up a shoulder injury.

But Mortlock had already scored one of three first-half tries and kicked three goals to put his side into a commanding 25-3 interval lead and the Wallabies held off a spirited Welsh revival to secure a bonus-point victory which should see them top the group.