Argentina give French dose of Les Bleus

France 12 Argentina 17

The Pumas became the first team in the history of the World Cup to defeat the host nation on opening day, and they deserve great credit for doing so in such a thoroughly professional manner.

They never allowed France to get out of the blocks and this victory has sent shockwaves through the world of rugby.

France are now in danger of being dumped out of the competition and based on this performance, Ireland won’t travel to Paris later in the month with any huge fears.

It does, of course, heap pressure on Ireland now that the Pumas got off to a winning start. The victory should inspire Argentina and it will surely spark a reaction from France.

Agustin Pichot, the Argentinean captain, expressed delight at the win, but noted that there was a high level of self-belief in the team before the match.

“We had beaten France four times out of the last five matches and won a couple of times in France, so there was no reason why we couldn’t do it again.

“We had a fairly simple game plan and we kept it up throughout the game. Our defence was tight and we frustrated them – we could sense their frustration as the game went on,” he said.

With the win behind them, Argentina can now look forward to two more victories against Namibia and Georgia before taking on Ireland on September 29.

The Irish have a rather tougher run in, facing the French and the Pumas on successive weeks after two warm-up matches against the pool’s minnows.

For French coach Bernard Laporte, it’s going to be tough as well. He and his side are staring elimination in the face and will surely go if Ireland beat them.

Argentina started well, Felipe Contepomi shooting them into the lead with an expertly struck penalty after five minutes. David Skrela responded for France, but Contepomi was again on the mark with his second to establish a 6-3 lead. It was nothing less than they deserved in that opening quarter as they enjoyed a 75-25 territorial dominance. The home crowd did their best, but they couldn’t quite inspire a strangely lethargic French side, whose only real scoring chance came from a speculative counter-attack. Contepomi could have rubbed salt into the early wounds, but he sent a long range drop goal effort wide.

But from the placed ball, Contepomi was deadly and he kicked his third penalty from the right hand touchline after 26 minutes. It got better when Horacio Agulla intercepted a stray French pass and Manuel Contepomi gave a scoring pass to full back Ignacio Corleto for the opening try of the game.

Contepomi hit the post with his conversion attempt before Skrela kicked his second penalty for France.

The Leinster player was back on song a few minutes later when he knocked over another penalty, this time from inside his own half to establish a 17-6 lead, one pegged back to eight on the stroke of half time when Skrela struck for the third time.

But the French did themselves no favours in the early stages of the second half when they laid siege to the Argentinean line only to concede a penalty.

With Argentina continuing to dominate territory, France did show glimpses of potential from deep positions. From one such attack, Skrela got another scoring opportunity and stunned the crowd by missing the proverbial “sitter” before atoning somewhat with another effort midway through the half.

Then Lucas Borges very nearly made it to the line after a sensational break out of defence but Argentina lost the initiative when fly half Juan Martin Hernandez kicked poorly to give France a chance to counter attack.

Substitute Frederic Michalak could not, however, take advantage of a penalty award and pulled his effort right and wide.

Contepomi sliced a 78th penalty attempt wide but got another chance right on the 80th minute, this time from an easier angle but missed again. Yet, Argentina finished in French territory and had done more than enough to merit this amazing victory.

FRANCE: C. Heymans, A. Rougerie, Y. Jauzion, D. Traille, C. Dominici, D. Skrela, P. Mignoni, O. Milloud, R. Ibanez (captain), P. De Villiers, F. Pelous, J. Thion, S. Betsen, I. Harinordoquy, R. Martin.

Replacements. S. Chabal for Pelous, D. Szarzewski for Ibanez, Bonnaire for Martin (all 64), F. Michelak for Skrela (injured, 66), J B. Elissalde (78)

ARGENTINA: I. Corleto, L. Borges, M. Contepomi, F. Contepomi, H. Agulla, J. Martin Hernandez, A. Pichot (captain), R. Roncero, M. L. Arocena, J. M. Scelzo, C. I. Fernandez Lobbe, P. Albacete, L. Ostiglia, J. Manuel Leguizamon, J. M. Fernandez Lobbe.

Replacements: R. Alverez Kairelis for C Fernandez Lobbe (36), S. Bonorino for Scelzo (injured, 68), H. Senillosa for M Contepomi, M. Durand for Ostiglia (both 77). Temporary — Senillosa for M. Contepomi (49-53)

Referee: T. Spreadbury (England).