Greece may not have gotten the win over France but they’ll forever remember their Rugby League World Cup debut thanks to a thrilling try in the final minute set up by none other than Billy Magoulias.
Magoulias put in a cross-field chip kick for Rabbitohs reserve-grader Nick Mougios to run 50-odd metres and step around a couple of France players and score.
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The play was practically identical to the one Magoulias came up with in the final minute of Newtown’s New South Wales Cup win in 2019 — and then again the following week to claim the State Championship.
It took the final score to 34-12 with Greece unable to overcome France’s dominant first half.
France got on the board first through prop Jordan Dezaria, who was too big and too strong as he crashed over just to the right of the posts.
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Anthony Morgue converted and then extended his side’s lead with a penalty goal in the 23rd minute after Nicholas Flocas was pinged for a high tackle.
Greece’s inability to clean up a grubber saw France’s Tony Grigot ground the ball just before it went dead.
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It looked like a bloodbath was brewing as France scored again just four minutes later with France’s most experienced player Benjamin Julian running a superb line off a Alrix Da Costa ball from dummy half to score. Morgue added the extras to take his side to a 20-nil lead at half time.
Greece winger Johnny Mitsias inspired his side early in the second half as he ran out of the line to put a big shot on his opposing winger to force an error.
But they were brought back down to earth as Morgue scored for France under the posts in the 47th minute — and converted his own try to take the lead to 26-nil.
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Then, finally, history was made when skipper and halfback Jordan Meads spotted an opportunity and put a long grubber in for winger Siteni Taukamo to score Greece’s very first World Cup try in the corner.
Jullien got his second of the night for France in the 74th minute but the action wasn’t over yet as Magoulias came up with his signature play with just seconds left on the clock to finish Greece’s World Cup debut off on a positive.
It was an important win for France — the hosts of the 2025 World Cup — who take on heavyweights, England in their second group match.
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Roosters coach Trent Robinson — also France’s director of rugby league — was pleased with the performance but believes there’s still “a lot of work to do.”
“I liked our work, I thought we worked really hard,” he said.
“I really enjoyed the forwards, I thought they controlled the ruck well and got over the advantage line really well.
“I thought it was quite clinical and we tried some stuff we’ve been working on, but we’ve got a lot of work to do.
“We’re trying to create our own French team identity and something that’s quite special leading up to the World Cup that they feel like they’re playing for their country and this is their home.”
Greece coach Steve Georgallis couldn’t wipe the smile off his face, despite the result, knowing history had been made.
“I can’t be more prouder than the boys and the effort they put in,” he said.
“I asked them to put in a real effort and I think it ended up being 14-12 in the second half so I’m really proud of the way they played.
“You saw how much it meant to them, it’s a stepping stone for rugby league in Greece… They love playing the game — now that they can — I think it’s only up from here.”
