By HENRY MORABANG
FRANCE Rugby League coach John Monie has named a strong side to take on Telikom PNG Kumuls in a one-off Test match in France on Sunday.
NThe French team dominated by Dragons Catalan will be out to maintain France’s dominance of Papua New Guinea Kumuls.
Monie is no stranger to the PNG-style of open play, having previously coached New Zealand Kiwis during which time they had played against PNG on several occasions.
And it is reported that he will definitely deliver a killer blow against the Kumuls this weekend.
France team manager Gullies Dumas, the former French Rooster captain who toured PNG in the early 1980s, would love to lead his charges to victory against PNG Kumuls.
PNG have a proud record of beating France in Port Moresby under
the captaincy of John Wagambie.
PNG coach Adrian Lam and his assistant Michael Marum are working around the clock to find a workable solution to beat France.
Lam would be relying on captain Keith Peters and Paul Aiton to direct the traffic for their forwards in Trevor Exton, George Moni, Joseph Omae and Rod Griffin.
PNG must win this game to maintain some credibility after being thrashed by non-Test playing nation Wales 50-10 last weekend in Wales.
Lam blamed complacency and the cold whether for the Kumul thrashing, adding that the players were not used to playing in cold conditions.
Lam has instructed his boys to lift themselves and restore some lost pride.
The teams are as follows:
France: Thomas Bosc (Dragons Catalans), Justin Murphy (Dragons Catalans), Sebastien Planas (Toulouse), Sylvain Houles (Toulouse), Cyril Stacul (Dragons Catalans), Christophe Moly (AS Caracassone), Maxime Greseque (Pia), Adel Fellous (Dragons Catalans), captain Julien Rinaldi (Harlequins), David Ferriol (Dragons Catalans), Olivier Elima (Dragons Catalans), Eric Anselme (Albi) and Laurent Carrasso (Toulouse)
Replacements: Jean-Christophe (St Gaudens), Sebastian Raguin (Dragons Catalans), Teddy Sadaou (AS Carcassonne), James Wynne (Lezignan), Remi Casty (Dragons Catalans)
Papua New Guinea: John Wilshere (Salford City Reds), Tu Maori (Cronulla Sharks), Gimapau Keimelo (Wri Vele Raiders), Steve Franciscus (Canberra Raiders), Michael Mark (Port Moresby Bulldogs), Jessie Joe (Port Moresby Bulldogs), Keith Peters (Penrith Panthers), Nigel Hukula (Goroka Lahanis), Paul Aiton (Penrith Panthers), Trevor Exton (Ipswich Jets), George Moni (Mendi Muruks), Joseph Omae (Mendi Muruks), Rod Griffin (Wests Tigers).
Replacements: Rodney Pora (Kokopo Island Gurias), James Nightingale (Penrith Panthers), Nixon Kolo (Wri Vele Raiders), Charlie Wabo (Mendi Muruks), Kevin Prior (Redcliffe Dolphins), Menzie Yere (Kokopo Island Gurias).