PARIS, 30 September – Australia, twice world champions, unveiled some pacey new stars in Pool B, while Fiji turned to its old guard to grab a quarter-final berth.
Elsewhere, Wales' players set a host of personal records and Canada and Japan fought out the tournament's only draw.
AUSTRALIA
Berrick Barnes arrived at RWC 2007 as the only uncapped member of Australia's squad with few people expecting him to get much game time, but an injury to first-choice fly half Stephen Larkham gave the 21-year-old a chance he was not about to let pass.
Fortunately, Barnes had made a try-scoring debut off the bench against Japan in their opening match and was not fazed by his late call to replace Larkham in the starting line-up. Coach John Connolly has admitted it could be possible he could fill Larkham's number 10 jersey even after the veteran returns from injury.
Drew Mitchell has impressed from the wing with a first ever Test hat-trick in the 55-12 defeat of Fiji among his seven RWC tries, while Matt Giteau earned a man of the match performance for his 27-point haul in the same match – his 50th for the Wallabies.
WALES
Shane Williams was another player to mark his 50th international with a brace of tries, the diminutive Welsh wing crossing twice against Japan in Cardiff to become his nation's second highest try scorer in what was their 300th international victory.
He was at it again with a spectacular individual effort - a rare highlight for Wales in the loss to Fiji - to take his RWC 2007 tally to six.
It was a hugely disappointing exit for Wales, none more so than for captain Gareth Thomas who became the first player to make 100 appearances for Wales in the Fiji match, capping the ocassion with a try to take his Test tally to 40 - a Wales record.
FIJI
Nicky Little was having a stellar world cup until he was ruled out with a knee injury suffered in the epic 38-34 defeat of Wales in their final pool match. But the star fly half, Fiji's all-time top points scorer, had already done the damage in the match with 18 points topping a great all-round display to put his team through to the quarters.
Blockbusting second row Kele Leawere has impressed with his toil in the tight and dynamic work in the loose. His wide-ranging play has netted the 120kg powerhouse three tries, including a crucial score against Wales. Leawere now stands alongside the likes of All Blacks Richie McCaw and Jerry Collins as the joint top forward try-scorer at the cup.
CANADA
A disappointing campaign for Canada as they depart without a win for the first time, but captain Morgan Williams was his usual lively self behind the scrum and was rewarded with a try against Wales.
Williams, together with second row Mike James, now retire from the international scene, leaving behind a Canadian team with many up and coming young players, including the likes of Dth van der Merwe and Adam Kleeberger, to carry the mantle.
JAPAN
Injuries have been a problem for coach John Kirwan, although Japan did manage to end their record streak of 13 RWC matches without a win due to their 12-12 draw with Canada after Shotaro Onishi's touchline conversion in injury-time.
The centre became the pride of the nation, but his moment in the spotlight wouldn't have arisen had it not been for the entire team launching one last, desperate raid on the Canadian line for centre Koji Taira to touch down in the corner.
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