Pumas pounce in France

France 14 Argentina 24

France slumped to their first-ever defeat at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday afternoon as Argentina put an end to Les Bleus’ eight-match unbeaten run.

It ensures the Latin Americans continue to hold the Indian sign over the French whom they have beaten now in their last four meetings.

It was Les Bleus’ second November Test match after an impressive 27-14 victory over World Cup runners-up Australia at the Stade de France last weekend.

However, the loss to the Pumas prevented Bernard Laporte’s men from setting an all-time French record of nine consecutive wins after successful campaigns at the 2004 RBS 6 Nations and the summer tour.

The match started at a breakneck speed for the Argentinians, who were constantly on the attack in the first 10 minutes, exploiting holes in the French defence.

Felipe Contepomi scored the first points for his side when he converted a penalty after just nine minutes.

France had the chance to level three minutes later but Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, who had the wind against him, missed despite being positioned almost straight in front of the posts.

Contepomi raised the score to 6-0 for the Pumas in the 14th minute after slotting an impressive 49-metre penalty.

The French were looking out of sorts against a brave Argentinian side who were battling hard.

In the 21st minute Aurelien Rougerie prevented the home side from conceding their first try of the game when he denied Hernan Senillosa with a last-ditch tackle after the Latin American had been the beneficiary of a freak bounce.

But the inevitable try came from Martin Durand in the 25th minute and Contepomi added the extra points as the Pumas took a comfortable 13-0 lead.

That stirred Les Bleus into life and Tony Marsh reduced the arrears with a fine solo try although the wind prevented Elissalde from adding the extra points to pull the score back to 13-5.

Contepomi missed a penalty chance in the 33rd minute before adding another six points to his side’s scoresheet in the 35th and 40th minutes with penalties as the Pumas led 19-5 at the break.

After the break, Les Bleus had the wind in their favour but the Argentinians resisted stoutly.

France were awarded a penalty after 46 minutes but Elissalde missed it from 54 metres although seven minutes later he finally landed one from closer range.

Elissalde picked up an injury in the latter effort and was substituted in the 59th minute by Julien Peyrelongue while Frederic Michalak took over as kicker.

Michalak, who was the kicker at the 2003 World Cup, converted his first penalty a minute later and France came back to 19-11.

France pushed forward, almost scoring a try in the 65th minute with their pack, but Michalak failed to add another three points for Les Bleus two minutes later when he missed a 32-metre penalty despite having the wind in his favour.

In the 74th minute he did hit the target as France came back to 19-14.

Les Bleus needed a try to get back on terms and a conversion to go ahead but the Pumas excelled in preventing them from getting near their 22-metre line.

And the visitors got their reward when Lucas Ostiglia scored a try one minute from time for the visitors although Contepomi missed his conversion.

However, Argentina left the pitch with a deserved victory, their fourth in a row against the French although the previous three were all in Argentina.

France, whose previous defeat came in the 2003 World Cup semi-final at the hands of England, now face New Zealand next Saturday at the Stade de France.