NZ smash Japan 90-10 at U19 World Cup

Tua Saseve of New Zealand is tackled by Hikaru Okubo of Japan during the sides' IRB Under 19s World Championship game at Sharjah. Bryn Lennon / Getty Images

New Zealand thumped Japan 90-10 at the International Rugby Board under-19 world championship in Sharjah overnight (New Zealand time) and now have until Thursday to prepare for a crunch match with Australia.

New Zealand managed eight tries in the first half and led 52-3 at the break before adding another six tries in the second spell.

First five-eighth Colin Slade scored two tries in each half, left wing Gareth Goodin had a first-half hat trick, and fullback Tane Puki scored two.

Slade and Puki between them converted 10 of the 14 New Zealand tries.

Japan managed a drop goal and one converted try, to replacement centre Kenji Miyamoto.

New Zealand coach Kieran Crowley was pleased with his side's effort in the one-sided contest.

"They kept to the structure. The next game is a big game. The players are enjoying it; they are loving Dubai."

Captain Victor Vito was also pleased with the win.

"We put together our set pieces well. We are going to stay humble against Australia as it could be a decider.

"There are a lot of areas we need to work on, our second line of defence mainly."

Japan captain Shinya Makabe said they had drawn courage from the big crowd, who roared their appreciation at the sole Japan try, but New Zealand were two good.

"They are a strong team, it was a challenge. They were big players."

New Zealand's final group match is on Thursday against Australia who also had a big win overnight -- 88-9 over Romania as winger Lachlan Rosengreen finished with four tries.

Elsewhere, replacement Cyriak Ponnau's injury-time try ended brave Irish resistance and kept France on course for the semifinals thanks to a 26-18 victory in Dubai.

England bounced back from their opening match reverse against Ireland with a 28-23 defeat of Argentina and South Africa opened their account with a 44-0 mauling of Samoa.

Wales, outgunned in their opening game by New Zealand, had too much power and pace for Scotland, cruising to a 35-5 triumph in Dubai.

* SCORING:

New Zealand 90 (Colin Slade 4 tries, Gareth Goodin 3 tries, Tane Puki 2 tries, Ben Afeaki, Timothy Bateman, Armyn Sanders, Piula Faasalele and Greg Tweddle tries; Slade 6con, Puki 4con), bt Japan 10 ( Kenji Miyamoto try; Kiryeol Oh dg, Hiroshi Tashiro con)

* ALL RESULTS

Division A:
(At Sharjah)
South Africa 44 Samoa 0
Argentina 23 England 28
New Zealand 90 Japan 10

Division B:
(At Dubai)
Ireland 18 France 26
Romania 9 Australia 88
Scotland 5 Wales 35

- NZPA