Australia has started its defence of the Rugby World Cup with a convincing 24-8 victory over Argentina in the opening game of the tournament at Sydney's Telstra Stadium.

However, the win was tainted by the loss of vice-captain and experienced lock David Giffin, who left the field on a stretcher and in a neck brace just after halftime.

Giffin had just jumped high to claim the restart and came down awkwardly, his head slamming into the ground.

He lay motionless on the ground for several minutes while Australian medical staff put a neck brace on him and lifted him into a medicab.

The initial report was severe concussion and he was taken away for X-rays to his head.

Australia led 14-3 at the break, with Wendell Sailor scoring the opening try of the World Cup and Elton Flatley adding three penalties to one by Felipe Contepomi.

Australia blew a gilt-edged chance eight minutes into the second half when prop Bill Young joined an attack and burst clear down the touch line. With two men either of side him and one defender to beat, he threw a forward pass to Joe Roff.

But Australia soon swept back on attack and won a simple penalty when an Argentine player failed to roll away from the tackle as required.

Flatley knocked over a kick from in front of the sticks and Australia led 17-3.

Argentina suffered from a lack of ambition on attack, often resorting to aimless up-and-under kicks when faced with Australia's rock-solid defence but equally Australia struggled to make in-roads in the second spell.

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