Josiah Abavu celebrates after scoring a try for the Kumuls against the French. Source: AAP
A WILLIAM Barthau field goal 15 minutes from the final whistle was enough to allow France to scramble past Papua New Guinea in their World Cup Pool B match.
But there was drama right to the end, with PNG fullback David Mead pushing a 25-metre penalty attempt wide with just two minutes to play.
Playmaker Thomas Bosc opened the scoring in the sixth minute for the French, converting his own try after a strong set.
PNG winger Nene McDonald responded, his effort in the corner given the green light after referee Ben Cummins went upstairs to video ref Phil Bentham.
Bentham was then on hand to deny France's Theo Fages, ruling he had made a double movement when crossing the line.
France's Morgan Escare, second left, is taken down by a high tackle from Papa New Guinea's Paul Aiton.
The Papua New Guineans started the second half with new resolve, a forced Mickael Simon knock-on resulting in the ball being spread left and winger Josiah Abavu crossing.
Bosc brought the scores level with a penalty 20 minutes from time and fellow halfback William Barthau nailed the 35-metre drop-goal five minutes later to pull the French a point clear.
But after Barthau spilled a late, speculative high kick from Ray Thompson, PNG were awarded a penalty that could have snatched the match, only for Mead's effort to drift wide in strong wind at Hull's Craven Park.
Fulltime FRANCE 9 (T Bosc try T Bosc 2 goals W Barthau field goal) bt PAPUA NEW GUINEA 8 (J Abavu N MacDonald tries) at MS3 Craven Park. Crowd: 7,481.
Papua New Guinea's Josiah Abavu, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a try.
France celebrate their victory at the final whistle after the 2013 World Cup rugby league match against Papua New Guinea at Craven Park.
Papua New Guinea's Neville Costigan is tackled by France's Gregory Mounis.
France's William Barthau is tackled by Papua New Guinea's Mickael Simon.
France's Jamal Fakie and Papua New Guinea's Charlie Wabo, right, in action during the 2013 World Cup rugby league match at Craven Park.
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