France made heavy work of it at times, but finished strongly to secure their second win of the Rugby World Cup, with a bonus-point 33-9 victory over the United States on Wednesday.
Tries from wingers Yoann Huget and Alivereti Raka in the first 24 minutes looked like setting the three-time World Cup finalists on their way to a handsome Pool C victory at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium.
But the Americans were much better than in their 45-7 opening loss to England and three AJ MacGinty penalties had them within three points at 12-9 after 64 minutes, as the French succumbed to errors and ill-discipline.
Much changed from the side that beat Argentina in their first match, France finally got their third try through centre Gael Fickou 13 minutes from time, and replacements Baptiste Serin and Jefferson Poirot added two more in the last 10 minutes.
France 33 (Huget, Raka, Fickou, Serin & Poirot tries; Ramos conversion, Lopez 3 conversions) USA 6 (MacGinty 3 penalties)
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Reuters
