Wendell Sailor is tackled. (Getty Images)

By Gareth Duggan, PA Sport, Brisbane

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Australia started in stunning style and then went on a second-half rampage to destroy Romania in their World Cup Pool A match in Brisbane, but failed to settle continuing concerns about the fluency of their backline under pressure.

The match started with a roar as Elton Flatley scored after just 18 seconds, the fastest recorded try in the history of the tournament, and even though Romania provided dogged resistance in the first half, they wilted after the break.

Full-back Mat Rogers bagged a hat-trick and Flatley was in sublime form with the boot as he kicked 13 of 15 kicks.

The winning margin equals Australia's biggest ever Test win, standing alongside the 92-10 hammering of Spain in 2001, while the try total of 13 also equals their best effort.

But coach Eddie Jones will not have been terribly happy with the substance of his team's win, particularly as the Romanian defence forced his players into far too many errors and turnovers in the first half.

Although often driven back by some impressive rolling mauls by the hosts, they were able to stay competitive as the Australian backs made six handling errors in the opening 40 minutes and turned the ball over four times.

Two tries each to Rogers and Burke ensured the Aussies were never really struggling, but midway through the first half a defensive line-out went awry off their own throw and Petrisor Toderasc capitalised.

It was no less than Romania deserved for some determined defence and well-structured attack.

But they were simply not in the game in the second half.

The world champions lifted their game a notch as the Eastern Europeans faded and the scoreboard ticked ominously towards the century mark.

Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock, Joe Roff and Larkham again all bagged tries to make it 64-8 before Rogers finished up his hat-trick just after the hour.

Reserve scrum-half Matt Giteau got in on the act, producing a sharp run from the base of a ruck and then a clever swerve to fox full-back Gabriel Brezoianu.

Lote Tuqiri, on as a replacement in the unfamiliar role of openside flanker, scored the 12th try and blindside flanker George Smith finished the try-scoring action with the 13th three minutes from time.

The end result was emphatic, but Jones will be eager to see his backs doing better under pressure in order to compete with the likes of England and New Zealand.

Once the floodgates opened, things looked better, although several promising moves still foundered on poor handling and execution.

Teams

Australia: Rogers, Sailor, Burke, Flatley, Roff, Larkham, Gregan, Young, Cannon, Baxter, Vickerman, Sharpe, Smith, Waugh, Lyons.

Replacements: Mortlock for Burke (50), Giteau for Gregan (41), Paul for Cannon (53), Darwin for Baxter (45), Harrison for Vickerman (53), Tuqiri for Waugh (64), Cockbain for Lyons (57).

Tries: Flatley, Rogers 3, Burke 2, Larkham 2, Mortlock, Roff, Giteau, Tuqiri, Smith.

Cons: Flatley 11.

Pens: Flatley.

Romania: Dumbrava, Brezoianu, Maftei, Gontineac, Sauan, Tofan, Sirbu, Toderasc, Mavrodin, Florea, Socol, Petre, Nicolai, Tonita, Chiriac, Popescu.

Replacements: Vioreanu for Tofan (42), Podea for Sirbu (64), Popescu for Mavrodin (50), Socaciu for Florea (50), Tudori for Nicolai (50), Tudor for Tonita (64), Teodorescu for Popescu (63).

Tries: Toderasc.

Pens: Tofan.

Sin Bin: Maftei (55).

Att: 48,778

Ref: Pablo Deluca (Argentina).