ABC Sports
France will now be confident of reaching the quarter-finals, with three teams progressing from a group that also contains holders New Zealand and Samoa.
RLWC match at Craven Park, Hull |
PNG rugby league team for WC 2013 |
Salford's Theo Fages had a try ruled out for France because of double movement, as his side went in at the interval with a narrow 6-4 lead.
The Kumuls, ranked sixth in the world, went ahead immediately after half-time, forcing a French error before Abavu scored in the corner following a well-constructed move.
Managed by former Wigan half-back Adrian Lam, Papua New Guinea were on top in the second period but were unable to convert their pressure into points.
A penalty from Bosc allowed France to draw level with 20 minutes to go, and Barthau's one-pointer on 65 minutes edged Richard Agar's side ahead. The Pacific nation could have won it with three minutes to go but Mead - who failed with all three kicks at goal - missed a penalty attempt from 25 metres out.