PARIS (AP):

NEW ZEALAND got the century they expected against Portugal and Australia captured the result they needed against Wales yesterday to each move closer to the last eight of the Rugby World Cup.

On day 13 All Blacks players crossed the Portuguese line in a 16-try performance and a 108-13 victory over the Portuguese amateurs in Lyon, two-time champions Australia overcame Welsh passion and home advantage 32-20 in Cardiff and are now almost certain to avoid South Africa in the quarter-finals.

Australia ran out at the Millennium Stadium without injured flyhalf Stephen Larkham and knowing that it was likely the losers would face a strong South Africa team in the last eight. The Springboks look almost certain to finish top of Group A after outplaying England 36-0 on Friday.

Fullback Chris Latham scored two of the Wallabies' four tries at the home of Welsh rugby which had the roof closed, generating even more noise to inspire the hosts. Australia captain Stirling Mortlock contributed 12 points with a try, two conversions and a penalty, and Matt Giteau also crossed the Welsh line.

Although the Welsh played with their usual passion, they never got close enough to really worry the Wallabies, who led 25-3 at halftime. No. 8 Jonathan Thomas scored a try early in the second half and Shane Williams crossed in the 75th when Australia were reduced to 13 men after winger Drew Mitchell and Nathan Sharpe were sinbinned.

Australia now have a maximum 10 points from two Group B games and Wales are tied with Fiji on five the Pacific islanders have a game in hand.

amateurs

Portugal's team of amateurs knew they were in for a hammering in Lyon, but were trailing only 12-3 in the 22nd minute after flyhalf Goncalo Malheiro kicked the first drop goal of the championship in the 14th game.

It was as if the All Blacks were miffed by the impudence of the score, and they responded with five tries in the next 12 minutes to immediately snuff out any hopes the Portuguese had of keeping it down.

Joe Rokocoko, Aaron Mauger and Conrad Smith each scored two tries and Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe, Andrew Hore, Brendon Leonard, Nick Evans, Andy Ellis, Leon MacDonald, Carl Hayman also went over. Evans converted 14 of the tries for a personal tally of 33 points.

"We started a little slower than we did last week (in 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."

Portugal were disappointed that they conceded a century of points.

"It is an excellent day for Portugal rugby and rugby around the world," Portugal coach Tomaz Morais said. "We have to play against teams like this for rugby to evolve.

"Our goals were very clear. We knew we were playing against the greatest team in rugby in the past few years. They have beaten great teams by 70-80 points. We went out to score a try and did this. Another objective was to prevent them breaking the world points record. All the players came back survivors."

Today, hosts France aim to bounce back from their shocking 17-12 loss at home to Argentina when they face Namibia in Toulouse.

Although coach Bernard Laporte has made 12 changes from the line-up that lost to the Pumas over a week ago, he said it was to give as many other players a chance to prove themselves and not as punishment to the players who performed so badly in the opening match.

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

AP