Argentina have pulled off one of the greatest victories of their illustrious history, wrenching the rug out from under the feet of the Six Nations champions ― and conquers of Australia ― with an inspired 24-14 win over France in Marseille on Saturday.
Not to belittle Argentina's heroic performance, but France seemed to lack their usual va-va-voom, and found it hard to find their rhythm in the face of a rabid Puma pack who keep the French forwards under wraps for the duration of the game.
Furthermore, most of the French backs looked like they were still suffering the effects of their win over the Wallabies ― the post-match celebrations, that is.
Indeed, the kicking game of Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Frédéric Michalak had all the composure of a drunk on the Parisian tiles.
Playing with the strong wind at their backs, the Pumas led 19-5 at half-time with fly-half Felipe Contepomi contributing four penalties and converting a try by flanker Martin Durand, who scrambled over following a five-metre scrum.
French momentarily work up, and centre Tony Marsh sliced through for a fabulous try that send the partisan support into raptures, and brought up an impromptu rendition of the Marseillaise.
After the break, Elissalde put his name on the scoresheet with his first penalty, but was forced off the field with an injury in the 58th minute.
Julien Peyrelongue came in at No.10 and Michalak moving to scrum-half. Michalak also assumed goal-kicking duties and immediately slotted his first penalty.
France appeared to be gaining on the South American 'up-starts' and got within an inch of the line. In the end, they were forced to settle for another Michalak penalty.
For a moment, it seemed as if the status quo would be maintained ― but the big Argentine forwards drew in a collective breath and pushed the French out of the danger zone and onto their own line.
The tourists were given the opportunity to kick for goal on two occasions, and refused both times ― opting to go for the corner line-out.
And their bravery was rewarded when prop Omar Hasan sealed victory by flopping over for a try after a series of running mauls on the French line just before the final whistle.
Man of the match: The Argentina forwards were just immense, deconstructing the same unit that bullied the Wallabies into submission last week ― namely, the cultured French pack. Our award goes to that man who always managed to coerce the best out of the bid Argentines ― the irrepressible Agustín Pichot, surely still one of the finest exponents of scrum-half play to have ever graced a rugby field.
Moment of the match: With France creeping back into the game, Argentina opted for two line-outs when attempts at the sticks would have been the more pragmatic approach. It's could have pure machismo, or pure masochism ― but when you can out-gall the Gallic, you know the day will be yours!
Villain of the match: Despite the furious clash of forwards, it was all good, clean fun. No villains.
The scorers:
For France:
Try: Marsh
Pens: Elissade, Michalak 2
For Argentina:
Tries: Durand, Hasan
Con: Contepomi
Pens: Contepomi 4
The teams:
France: 15 Nicolas Brusque, 14 Aurelien Rougerie, 13 Tony Marsh, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Olivier Magne, 6 Serge Betsen, 5 Jerome Thion, 4 Fabien Pelous (captain), 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 2 William Servat, 1 Olivier Milloud.
Replacements: 16 Sebastien Bruno, 17 Nicolas Mas, 18 Pascal Pape, 19 Julien Bonnaire, 20 Julien Peyrelongue, 21 Clement Poitrenaud, 22 Jimmy Marlu.
Argentina: 15 Juan Martín Hernández, 14 Lucas Borges, 13 Federico Martín Aramburu, 12 Manuel Contepomi, 11 Hernán Senillosa, 10 Felipe Contepomi, 9 Agustín Pichot (captain), 8 Gonzalo Longo, 7 Lucas Ostiglia, 6 Martín Durand, 5 Rimas Álvarez, 4 Patricio Albacete, 3 Omar Hasan, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Federico Méndez, 17 Daniel Rodríguez, 18 Pablo Bouza, 19 Martín Schusterman, 20 Nicolás Fernández Miranda, 21 Juan de la Cruz Fernández Miranda, 22 Gonzalo Tiesi.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
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