French keen to tackle Kangaroos

France has promised to play 'rugby gagne' - winning rugby - in an attempt to pull off one of the biggest upsets in rugby league history against Australia in Toulouse this weekend.

The French, coming off a heart-breaking loss to New Zealand at the weekend, take on the world champions on Monday in the south of France.

On the strength of their performance against the Kiwis, officials are tipping a crowd of up to 20,000 for the game and their Australian-born coach, Mick Aldous, said his young side would take the attack to the Kangaroos.

"We're just a bunch of part-timers," Aldous said.

"We have postmen and garbos. But anything is possible. We have a bunch of young, enthusiastic kids who have no fear. They're going to play football.

"We have a saying in our team - rugby gagne. It means winning rugby, a winning mentality. We try to win every time we go out there."

Aldous, a former Tigers recruitment officer, has been charged with setting up a structure to ensure the long-term survival of rugby league in France.

The country was once a rugby league force and remains the last nation to beat the Kangaroos in a test series.

The year was 1978 and France defeated the Kangaroos in two test matches - one of which was in Toulouse - but since then the game has been on a downward spiral.

"The game is on its knees," Aldous said.

"My job is to re-structure the whole league over here. We have to grow the sport, it's as simple as that. It helps if we have a team that's going forward.

"If we're having some good results at the top level then the government will stand up and take notice."

The New Zealand game was a good start.

The French, inspired by halves Maxime Greseque and Julien Rinaldi and young hooker David Berthezene, led the Kiwis with three minutes remaining.

"He's as good as anything in the world," Aldous said of Berthezene.

"He was outstanding against New Zealand, against some of the best players in the world. I'm sure he won't let us down against Australia.

"He's a young guy, very elusive out of dummy half."

Only an Ali Lauiti'iti try stopped France pulling off a stunning upset.

"It's our pre-season, we have been going for seven weeks," Aldous said.

"They proved they can compete against the best in the world with a short preparation.

"If we beat the Kangaroos it's going to be an enormous shot in the arm for the code."