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AUSTRALIA's reigning women's superstar and Opals captain Penny Taylor today produced her most outstanding game as an Olympian to underpin an 89-71 rout of France in Rio.

Taylor scored 31 points - the most since Lauren Jackson hit 30 against Russia in Beijing in 2008 - and did it on a withering 10-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-5 threes and 8-of-8 free throws.

Not only was it the highest score by an Aussie (Opals or Boomers) at these Olympics but she backed it with match highs in assists with nine, and steals with three.

Her five rebounds also led the Opals until Liz Cambage, struck down by early foul woes, returned to finish with seven boards and 16 points. In 15 minutes of court-time, that too was a fairly imposing return.

Australia's third straight win means unless it royally stuffs up, it should win the group undefeated, avoiding the semi final clash with the top-seeded USA which France forced it into in London.

That led to a loss and a Bronze in 2012 but now the path here is straight ahead to the Gold Medal Final, barring the unforeseen.

PEERLESS PENNY: Penny Taylor was awesome today, a class above. Picture courtesy FIBA.

From the outset, Taylor set her stamp on this key contest, scoring the game's opening basket, France keen to attack Cambage and forcing her into two quick fouls.

Cambage had six of Australia's points in a 10-5 lead but checked out at 6:30 after her second infraction.

As the French drew to within a point, Taylor asserted herself, her 3-pointer at 3:41 bulging the lead back to 17-11, her two free throws at 3:04 making it 19-11.

Subbed out at that point, the Opals had her on the bench alongside Cambage and Leilani Mitchell - behind Cambage, Australia's most consistent player in its opening two games.

It meant while the Aussies were rallying defensively, offensively they had no true threats, Sandrine Gruda pulling France back to 17-19.

Laura Hodges, enjoying her best game of the tournament, finally broke the Opals' extended scoring drought off a nice feed from Steph Talbot but Helena Ciak cut it to 19-21 at the first break.

A foul-riddled first period with seven called on Australia and eight on France, meant a free throw procession which, coupled with the Opals' 5-of-14 shooting and their opponents' 5-of-15, meant the quarter was mostly tedium.

FRENCH FRIED: Laura Hodges and Leilani Mitchell challenge Sandrine Gruda. Picture via FIBA.

Taylor opened the second with a 3-pointer, then backed it up with a three-point play before Hodges made it 29-19 from the stripe.

Marianna Tolo (14 points, 4 rebounds) pushed it out to 32-19 as the Opals' defensive pressure shut down and unravelled the French formations.

A Taylor fast-break bucket took her to 17 before her assist to Hodges made it 36-19 on a match-winning 15-0 run.

France scored its first basket 4:10 from halftime - a 5:50 drought - off a loose Tessa Lavey crosscourt turnover pass for a simple layup by Marielle Amant.

Another turnover and France rallied further, completing an 8-0 recovery mostly built on Aussie mistakes.

Tolo freebies and a Cayla George three stopped the rot, the Opals out 44-29 and with the last play to the break. When Mitchell's drive was blocked, they had five seconds to run a play, coach Brendan Joyce inserting Cambage for it.

The ball lobbed to her, she popped it in to beat the siren, the Opals all smiles heading into the break ahead 46-29.

Taylor's 17 first-half points came without a single blemish, France held to 4-of-14 shooting and 10 points for the quarter.

France opened the second-half on a 6-0 outburst before Taylor was mugged, converting both free throws and on the additional possession, feeding Lavey for a three.

Taylor's defensive rebound outlet to Erin Phillips (9 points, 5 assists) who passed it on to Tolo on the break was perfect basketball.

The ball movement of Hodges-to-Cambage-to-Taylor-to-Mitchell for three also was pure pleasure.

When Cambage missed a free throw, Taylor was there to steal the ball back from the French rebounders, scoring and nailing a bonus free throw.

She was just a class above and when France, paced by point guard Olivia Epoupa's 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting, got a little excited about drawing back to 61-73, she swished a three and they were broken.

The lead bulged to 20 before the final scoreline was settled, Australia next up against Japan and Belarus and, most likely, the most favourable draw of the quarter-finals.

AUSTRALIA OPALS 89 (Taylor 31, Cambage 16, Tolo 14, Phillips 9; Cambage 7 rebs; Taylor 9 assts) d FRANCE 71 (Epoupa 15, Gruda, Miyem 10; Epoupa 7 rebs; Bouderra 4 assts).