Rugby League World Cup: Shaun Johnson stars for New Zealand
Shaun Johnson contributed 24 points, including two tries, as New Zealand crushed Pool B rivals France 48-0 in Avignon.
Last Updated: 01/11/13 10:15pm
Frank Nuuausala and Shaun Johnson both touched down twice for the Kiwis, with the latter also kicking eight goals to finish with a personal haul of 24 points from the Pool B clash.
The result means the reigning champions are almost certain of a semi-final berth having already defeated Samoa 42-24; they face Papua New Guinea in their final group game.
Head coach Stephen Kearney could even afford to rest Sonny-Bill Williams as a much-changed line-up firstly won the arm wrestle with their hosts, who were were given raucous support by almost the entirety of the 17,000 crowd, before then turning on the style.
It took New Zealand just four minutes to take the lead, Krisnan Inu getting his first try for his country when he collected Kieran Foran's kick from the left.
Knocked over
Johnson knocked over the extras and appeared to have then set up another score with his boot, only for the video referee to judge that Jason Nightingale had committed a knock-on before Frank Pritchard went over.
Still, they didn't have too long to wait to add further points. Centre Bryson Goodwin went over after 25 minutes and Nuuausala duly followed his lead just before the break, Johnson converting both to make it 18-0.
The impressive half-back combination of Isaac Luke and Johnson combined to create opportunities for the latter's brace in a five-minute spell, while Greg Eastwood barged his way over for a sixth try which was also converted.
France, to their credit, continued to try and find a way through, Morgan Escare coming the closest when he looked set to go the length of the field on an intercept before full-back Kevin Locke got back to deny the Catalan Dragon.
New Zealand, in contrast, had little trouble at the other end of the pitch.
Nu'uausala dragged two men over with him to complete his double and the clinical Kiwis refused to take it easy on their opponents, adding an eighth and final try right before the final hooter sounded.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck somehow reached out to ground the ball after a scramble, with Johnson stepping up to add the extras and complete a perfect kicking display.