Australia crushes US, England win in RLWC quarters

Australia ended the United States' incredible Rugby League World Cup journey in ruthless fashion and England accounted for France 34-6 to cruise into the semifinals on Saturday.

The Kangaroos ran in 12 tries to sweep to a 62-0 victory, though it was soured by the sight of fullback Billy Slater being carried off with a potentially serious left knee injury just after halftime after being on the receiving end of a crunching tackle from Roman Hifo.

Brett Morris and Jarryd Hayne enjoyed fruitful matches at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground with four tries apiece to tie the Australia test record. Australia scored eight in a first half that finished 38-0.

Greg Inglis grabbed two tries, with Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk also crossing. Johnathan Thurston kicked seven goals.

The U.S. has been the surprise package of the tournament with its run to the quarterfinals in its first World Cup, but was given a reality check in the team's biggest ever match.

Fullback Sam Tomkins led England to a comfortable win over France in the rain at his club home ground in Wigan, but missed the last seven minutes while he was binned for a professional foul to half a French breakout.

Vincent Duport dragged three tacklers over the line in the fifth minute, but France barely sniffed the try-line again.

Tomkins set up Joshua Charnley for the first of England's six tries, and the first of Charnley's pair. Ryan Hall also bagged a pair before the break, while Sean O'Loughlin and replacement Brett Ferres added the only second-half tries. Kevin Sinfield hit five goals.

England lined up defending champion New Zealand at Wembley next weekend, and coach Steve McNamara said a vast improvement was required.

"Very scratchy," was how McNamara described England's effort. "We did enough to win the game but in terms of performance we were way, way down from what we expected."

If Fiji beats Samoa on Sunday, it will set up the same semifinals as the last cup in 2008.