World Cup: Papua New Guinea vs France (Group B)

[teke]

I feel for Dave, thrown the kicking duties cause no one else can kick or wanted to. PNG will fizzle out of the tournament without making ripple

[TITAN PETE]

Mead misses sitter as France beat PNG
By Liam FitzGibbon
AAP
7:58am Mon 28th October, 2013


Gold Coast flyer David Mead was left devastated after missing a late penalty in front of the posts to cruelly deny Papua New Guinea a first Rugby League World Cup victory in 13 years.

The Kumuls fell 9-8 to France on Sunday despite scoring two tries to the victors' one in their Group B encounter in Hull.

Star NRL winger Mead failed to convert both of PNG's tries but had a golden chance to secure victory after his side earned a penalty 25m out from the French tryline with a minute to play.

But he failed to factor in a strong breeze at Craven Park and his effort sailed wide as coach Adrian Lam and high performance director Mal Meninga watched on in horror.

Lam said it was unfair to blame Mead, who assumed the responsibility with the squad not featuring a specialist goalkicker.

"David is devastated," Lam said of Mead, who has battled back from suffering a fractured vertebrae earlier this year.

"He's a great young man and we spoke with him about how he's not to blame. He is a big part of our side.

"He's not a week in, week out goalkicker and we don't have one. That's the problem.

"He's blaming himself but there are a couple of other things we could have done better."

Lam said he was both proud and disappointed with the performance.

The rugby league-mad nation still has a chance to progress from the group, which also features New Zealand and Samoa.

"If we kick the goal it's a great night, so now we have to pick ourselves back up off the ground. We couldn't convert our opportunities," Lam said.

France halfback William Barthau kicked what proved the decisive field goal with 15 minutes to go as France avenged losing to PNG at the 2000 World Cup, the Kumuls' last Test win.

French playmaker Thomas Bosc opened the scoring in the sixth minute before PNG winger Nene McDonald responded with a try in the corner.

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 before and fellow Barthau nailed a 35-metre field goal.

France coach Richard Agar knew his side was lucky to escape with a win.

"If I'm honest, I wouldn't have had many complaints had we lost," he said.

[Titanic]

Mead should never kick for goal again ... I know I'll get shouted down but he doesn't kick for us and he shouldn't kick for PNG ... they have players who can kick although they don't play NRL.

[DIEHARD]

I agree Titanic. David has enough pressure on himself he should just focus on footy. I'm sure PNG will bounce back.

[DIEHARD]

[teke]

Mead should never kick for goal again ... I know I'll get shouted down but he doesn't kick for us and he shouldn't kick for PNG ... they have players who can kick although they don't play NRL.

why u get shouted down for saying that?

He told his team mates last week before the Scotland game he didn't want to kick and those that do kick didn't want to stand up.

He's getting crucified on social media for that.

They won't be needing a goal kicker in the next 2 games cause they will get flogged.

[Titanic]

Couldn't agree more and I'll be at the next one ... patiently hoping that something will click.

[DIEHARD]

Dont worry David, many RL greats have had their lesser moments on the international stage!

[C-Whiz]

It was a devo way to lose, can't imagine how Meady must be feeling. hope he bounces back. he seems like apretty resilient guy, judging by the way he comes back from injury. But confindence is a mental game. Hope he's got it in the same amount as his physical toughness.

Strange how little he seemed to be involved for most of the game. It seemed like he only brought himself into it in the last 10-15 minutes.

A real shame. No one to blame, just the way it goes when you are not a kicker and you are trying to kick into gale force winds.

FFS, it was right in front though....

[teke]

No one mentally tougher than him I assure u, that's why he never misses a beat coming back from injury and can keep consistent decent form. Mal was really happy with his and Nenes game. He ran for over 200 mtrs.

[teke]

Couldn't agree more and I'll be at the next one ... patiently hoping that something will click.

I hope that patience didn't start 10 or so yrs ago cause IMO they really havnt improved that much.

Pretty cool u will be at the game , by chance or u planned it?

[Titanic]

No just lucky ... I fly into London for meeting with Oxford Uni and then should just be able to make it to Hull in time :-) on the patience thing, they haven't improved since the SL fiasco ended, imho ... for a couple of years we got the game out of the hands of the SL farkers but since it all settled down they have gone back to the same ole same ole.

[Hail Sezer]

No one mentally tougher than him I assure u, that's why he never misses a beat coming back from injury and can keep consistent decent form. Mal was really happy with his and Nenes game. He ran for over 200 mtrs.

Thats good to hear. Nene Mcdonald is a good player IMO, I really rate him.