New Zealand shut out France at Rugby League World Cup

New Zealand have thrashed France 48-0 in their second match at the Rugby League World Cup this evening.

The Kiwis looked threatening from the start, quickly taking control of the ball before Krisnan Inu added the first try of the match after just six minutes.

Bryson Goodwin increased the 2008 champions' lead midway through the half before Frank-Paul Nu'uausala made it 18-0 at the break.

New Zealand struggled to find their rhythm for the first 10 minutes of the second half, but a strong five-minute spell from Shaun Johnson resulted in two tries for the scrum-half.

The French side had a good chance to add their first points of the match inside the final two minutes, but a knock on gave the ball back to New Zealand, who added their eighth try of the evening with the final play of the tie.