France launched their World Cup campaign in style with a 34-12 win over competition newcomers Greece at Eco-Power Stadium.
After failing to register a win at the last World Cup, a France side boasting more Super League experience than ever before, announced themselves as certified contenders on the world stage.
In their first World Cup match, Greece were valiant in defeat, with a runaway try to Nick Mougios from a clever chip over the top in the 79th minute bringing the proud blue and white supporters to their feet in Doncaster on Tuesday.
The World Cup debutants struggled to get out of their own half in the opening stages and an attempted 40-20 kick by Lachlan Ilias came up short, giving France prop Jordan Dezaria the platform to explode out of the line from close range and open the scoring in the eighth minute.
Greece score an absolute stunner
Chasing the early lead, mistakes started to creep into Greece's game and a dangerous tackle on the line handed France playmaker Arthur Mourgue the opportunity to extend the lead 8-0 with a penalty goal.
Come the 29th minute and France extended their lead when Mourgue produced a deft grubber for Toulouse half Tony Gigot to follow through and score.
Ill discipline again proved costly for Greece when a Mitchell Zampetides late shot gifted France position and Benjamin Jullien capitalised with his fourth try in French colours.
France went further ahead early in the second half when Mourgue crossed the line and converted his own try to bring the score 26-0 with 32 minutes to play.
But it was the 55th minute that marked a moment of history for international rugby league.
Greece halfback Jordan Meads produced a perfectly weighted grubber to the corner to find winger Siteni Taukami to score his country's first World Cup points.
Greece's first World Cup try is all class
France was quick to end Greece's celebrations and once again showed their class, moving the ball quickly through hands when Julien crossed the stripe for his side's fifth try of the night.
Greece continued to fight to the end and Nick Mougious grabbed an 80th minute runaway try to reduce the deficit 34-12 and bring the Greece fans to their feet in Doncaster.
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Match Snapshot
- The match marked a noteworthy piece of history marking Greece's first ever appearance in a World Cup, just six months after rugby league was declared legal in the European nation.
- Greece forward Mitchell Zampetides was placed on report in the 33rd minute for dangerous contact on the kicker which led to France's third try of the game.
- France broke 43 tackles in the victory, the fourth most of any team so far.
- France five-eighth Arthur Mourgue was perfect off the boot, kicking all five conversions. He is one of five players to maintain a perfect record through the opening games.
Play of the Game
Greece halfback Jordan Meads finished a crisp left side raid with a perfectly weighted grubber to the corner which found winger Siteni Taukami who crossed the line to score his country's first World Cup points.
Greece's first World Cup try is all class
What They Said
"I couldn't be more proud of the boys and the effort they put in. I asked for them to put in a real effort in the second half and they did. I'm really proud of their effort and the way they played. I just told them to go over to the crowd and take in the moment. You saw how much it meant to them to play for Greece, they love playing the game and now they can I think it's only up from here." - Greece coach Steve Georgallis.
"Very happy obviously. We only conceded two tries off kicks so we work hard on our goal line defence and our tackling technique because I'm pretty sure the England team might have some ideas too. But I'm very happy with the win and the attitude of the boys has been awesome in the last two weeks and it was reflected on the field." - France coach Laurent Frayssinous
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What's Next
The next assignment for France is against the hosts, England, at University of Bolton Stadium in Bolton on October 23 (3.00 am AEDT) while Greece face Samoa the following day in Doncaster (3.00 am AEDT).