Shaun Johnson contributed 24 points, including two tries, as New Zealand crushed Pool B rivals France 48-0 in Avignon.
New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney insisted his side still have room for improvement despite thrashing France 48-0.
France captain Captain Olivier Elima is looking forward to locking horns with New Zealand in Avignon on Friday.
France take on reigning champions New Zealand in both sides' second Rugby League World Cup fixture in Avignon on Friday.
Richard Agar was a relieved man after France edged out Papua New Guinea while counterpart Adrian Lam had mixed emotions.
France kicked off their World Cup campaign on a winning note following a slender 9-8 triumph over Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea and France begin their Rugby League World Cup campaigns Sunday at Hull KR's New Craven Park.
Catalan Dragons winger Damien Cardace has been drafted into France's World Cup squad.
France coach Richard Agar has included Salford teenage scrum-half Theo Fages in his 24-man squad for the World Cup.
Wakefield boss Richard Agar has been appointed as the new France coach on a part-time basis.
France forward Jason Baitieri admits Les Tricolores must make significant improvements ahead of Sunday's re-match.
Forward Craig Kopczak is in contention to captain Wales after being elevated to a four-strong leadership group.
Wales will step up their preparations for the 2013 World Cup when they take on France on Saturday.
It has been announced that Cardiff's Millennium Stadium will host a double-header to launch the 2013 World Cup.
A total of 13 Catalan Dragons have been named in the France team to play England Knights on Saturday.
England are a distant third in the revamped world rankings issued on Friday by the Rugby League International Federation.
Olivier Elima was the four-try hero as France came from behind to beat Ireland 58-24 in the Alitalia European Cup.
France coach Bobbie Goulding has called up Melbourne Storm stand-off Dane Chisholm.
England captain Jamie Peacock has said he would back the idea of a mid-season match against a Rest of the World team.
Bobbie Goulding has 'every confidence' France can win through to the 2011 Four Nations despite the heavy loss to England
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