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Canberra - The Wallabies scored seven tries to launch their international season with a convincing 49-3 win over ill-disciplined Fiji at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
The Australians, fielding five debutants, were too structured and enterprising for the Fijians and went on with the job in the second half after leading 14-3 at half-time.
The Wallabies tuned up for the first of their two Tests against England in Perth next weekend with an authoritative performance.
Fullback Kurtley Beale and winger Digby Ioane scored try doubles, while Matt Giteau kicked six conversions.
But their win was offset by a likely serious knee ligament injury to tight-head prop Ben Alexander, while winger Adam Ashley-Cooper came off with an ankle injury.
"We were a bit scratchy early on but the pleasing aspect was that they didn't get across our line," skipper Rocky Elsom said.
"Fiji can be extremely difficult to play against if you give them the space to attack, but we did well in defence.
"We just need to be more stable, rock-solid, but it was OK for our first match of the season."
Fiji paid for their poor discipline and had two players yellow carded - scrumhalf Emosi Vucago and replacement prop Graham Dewes, both in the second half.
Beale dropped the ball with his first touch but scored his first international try in the 11th minute after latching onto a long pass from flyhalf Quade Cooper.
The Fijians, playing with plenty of raw power, got their only points through a 23rd-minute penalty goal from fullback Taniela Rawaqa.
But the Wallabies, enjoying the lion's share of possession and territory, increased their advantage right on half-time with a try from number eight Richard Brown.
Cooper deftly put outside centre Rob Horne flying into a gap and from the resulting ruck Brown plunged over near the posts to put Australia 14-3 up at the break.
The Fijians were penalised for their disciplinary indiscretions, with Rawaqa cautioned by Irish referee Peter Fitzgibbon for not using his arms in a collision that floored Giteau.
The Wallabies were in for their third try four minutes after the resumption with Cooper scoring after a Fijian attack broke down and Giteau's conversion pushed the home side out to a 21-3 lead.
Ioane made certain of victory with a runaway try, beating off two tackles to score after 51 minutes, and he claimed his double after splendid interplay with Beale.
Fiji's task was made even more difficult when Vucago was yellow carded midway through the second half for repeated infringements, leaving his team with 14 men.
Alexander appeared to suffer a serious knee injury in a ruck and was driven off the field on a medical cart.
Dewes was only on the field for two minutes before he became Fiji's second yellow card for lashing out at Salesi Ma'afu.
Beale, making his first start with the Wallabies, finished off his night with his second try following an inside pass from Cooper.
Scorers:
Australia:
Tries: Kurtley Beale (2), Richard Brown, Quade Cooper, Digby Ioane (2), Drew Mitchell
Conversions: Matt Giteau (6), Cooper
Fiji:
Penalty: Taniela Rawaqa
