Kiwis rout France for third place

Published November 21, 2003

SYDNEY, Nov 20: New Zealand gained some consolation for their loss to France in the last World Cup by crushing the Europeans 40-13 in Thursday’s third place playoff.

The All Blacks ran in six tries to one to overwhelem the French in a flat match that lacked any real intensity after the two sides were beaten in last weekend’s semi-finals.

Doug Howlett and Mils Muliana scored a try each to finish the tournament with seven apiece, just one short of compatriot Jonah Lomu’s record of eight touchdowns in 1999.

Joe Rokocoko also scored to take his tally for the tournament to six while Chris Jack, Brad Thorn and Marty Holah all crossed for tries.—Reuters