Kiwis wing Bryson Goodwin pounces on a grubber kick to score during yesterday’s big win over France. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwis wing Bryson Goodwin pounces on a grubber kick to score during yesterday’s big win over France. Photo / Getty Images

TOULOUSE - New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney called for a complete performance in this week's Four Nations clash with England after a storming second half saw off France 62-12 in Toulouse yesterday.

Despite first half tries from Benji Marshall, Sam Perrett and Lance Hohaia, the world champions struggled to shake-off a resilient French side who hit back through Sebastien Martins and Australian-born James Wynne.

But Perrett, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Frank-Paul Nuuausala led a succession of second half tries to eventually put the underdogs to the sword.

But Kearney said his side would need to turn it on for the full 80 minutes if they were to make the Four Nations final by avoiding defeat against England.

"We knew after our draw with Australia that the England game would probably be key to our progression," said Kearney.

"We couldn't afford to take France lightly and they showed us that in the first half.

"We stepped it up though in the second half and demonstrated what we are capable of and we need to do that for the full game against England if we want to win this.

"There are no easy games when you are playing at international level and France were proof of that but I was pleased with our second half performance."

Kearney added: "Perhaps first half we were a little too easy to relax after the early scores but we cleared that up at the break.

"It was a professional second 40 and we will take that into what is a huge game for us."

The Kiwis raced into a ten point lead through skipper Marshall and Perrett before the hosts hit back thanks to Martins' first France try.

World Cup hero Hohaia and Wynne exchanged scores either side of the break as France kept their hopes alive.

But Perrett, Waerea-Hargreaves and Nuuausala all went over without response to take the game away from the hosts.

Hohaia sprinted the full length of the field to score on the hour before Perrett - who was in for his hat-trick - flicked the ball unselfishly out the back of his hand for Junior Sa'u to extend the lead.

However, 24-year-old winger Perrett did grab his third try before Bryson Goodwin and Waerea-Hargreaves rounded off the scoring.

After watching his side track New Zealand all the way to the break, France coach Bobbie Goulding praised his battling team.