Centre Yannick Jauzion scored a hat-trick as France kicked off its World Cup campaign with a predictable victory but it was Fijian flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca who produced tonight's highlights at Suncorp Stadium.

In an entertaining and sometimes fiery pool B encounter, France displayed the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' of world rugby with a 61-18 victory.

The 1999 runner-up's slickness and defensive organisation gave the attacking Fijians few opportunities to produce their natural flair and the French counter-attacked in kind for seven tries.

But the mostly amateur islanders did not take a backward step, exemplified by Caucaunibuca's vicious forearm to the head of French flanker Olivier Magne in the second half.

The sensational winger went from hero to villain with the 64th-minute strike which could see him in hot water with the tournament's citing commissioner.

The incident, which occurred during a fracas, resulted in Caucaunibuca and Magne, who threw an initial punch, spending 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Caucaunibuca had given his side a sniff of victory shortly after halftime when he finished off a 75m try, after fine lead-up work by fullback Norman Ligairi, to close the gap to 24-18.

But from there the French took control as ruck infringements and ill-discipline cost the islanders dearly.

Goalkicking flyhalf Frederic Michalak (10 from 13) gave France some breathing space with two penalty goals for a 30-18 lead before his team ran in five tries.

Jauzion showed his class throughout partnering New Zealand-born Tony Marsh for the first time in the French midfield.

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