( CNN ) -- Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper scored the fastest hat-trick in Rugby World Cup history on Friday as Australia triumphed 67-5 against the United States . The bonus-point win was Australia 's second of the tournament in New Zealand , and the perfect response to last weekend 's shock 15-6 defeat against Ireland . The 1991 and 1999 world champions are now in a strong position to reach the quarterfinals , with their final Pool D match coming against World Cup debutants Russia on October 1 . U.S. coach Eddie O'Sullivan will need his native Ireland , who he coached at the last two World Cups , to lose against Russia on Sunday to keep alive the Super Eagles ' slim hopes of reaching the last eight . Bagpipe ban puts wind up Scottish rugby fans . Ashley-Cooper registered three tries in seven second-half minutes after the Wallabies had built up a commanding 34-5 lead in Wellington , putting the 27-year-old joint top of the tournament 's scoring standings . Two tries in the first 10 minutes from center Rob Horne and flanker Rocky Elsom got Australia off to a strong start , before the U.S. responded with a score of their own through South Africa-born No . 8 J.J. Gagiano . But it was to prove the only try of the match for the U.S. , with Australia fullback Kurtley Beale and center Anthony Fainga ' a both touching down to set up a 22-5 halftime lead . The tries continued in the second half for coach Robbie Deans ' team , as Australia went over the U.S. line four minutes into the second period through wing Drew Mitchell . Center Pat McCabe grabbed another five points before Ashley-Cooper took over to ram home Australia 's superiority . A second try for Fainga ' a and a final score from flanker Radike Samo set the seal on a commanding triumph . `` We spoke about being a little bit smarter in our decision-making , '' scrumhalf Will Genia , Australia 's stand-in captain in the absence of regular skipper James Horwill , told the tournament 's official website . `` The scoreline was flattering but the best thing was the way we went about it and our decision-making . We got clean ball to work with and it made it much easier to get on the front foot . '' Australia ended the match with 14 men when Fainga ' a was stretchered off with concussion in the final minute , with former New Zealand fullback Deans having used all his replacements after Beale , Horne , McCabe and back-row forward Wycliff Palu also went off injured .
Wallabies record a comfortable 67 - 0 win over U.S. at Rugby World Cup . Adam Ashley - Cooper scores the fastest hat - trick in World Cup history . The win puts Australia top of Pool D with 10 points . Australia need Russia to beat Ireland in order to have chance of reaching last eight .