FULLTIME: Argentina: 30 v France: 19
The Pumas discipline kept France in the game. The Pumas scored a great try to win at the end.
Pumas’ Best: Sánchez, Matera, Asa, Cordero, Petti
French Best: Bonfils, Goujon.
Historically France have dominated internationals against Argentina winning 34 of the previous 48 encounters between the countries. However the Pumas have won five of the last ten games and France are missing several top players. Can Argentina foil France again? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:10am (AEST).
France was embarrassed by New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the World Cup and finished a lousy fifth in the Six Nations. Compounding their problems is the absence of many first choice players involved in the Top 14 semi-finals – featuring Clermont and Racing 92 and Toulon and Montpellier.
The final is scheduled to take place next weekend which means coach Guy Novès will be able to call up players from the losing semi-finalists but he will still be without players involved in the final.
With first-choice captain Guilhem Guirado involved with Toulon, Novès has appointed first-five Jules Plisson as captain. Plisson is 24 years old and will appear in his 11th test. He is seen as a big part of France’s future.
France have named seven debutants. In the backs wing Xavier Mignot, centre Julien Rey and scrum-half Baptiste Serin earn their first caps. Up front No.8 Kevin Gourdon, second row William Demotte, lock Julien Le Devedec and hooker Remi Bonfils are on debut.
Prop Rabah Slimani is one to watch. He is strong in the scrums and will have a mighty tussle with Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Argentina has a settled look about their team. Nicolás Sánchez scored 20 points in the win against Italy and spearheads a backline that is gaining a reputition for playing fine attacking rugby.
Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Juan Martin Hernandez and Martín Landajo were all outstanding in the World Cup and have the ability to threaten any team.
Argentina are of course strong at scrum time, but keep an eye on exciting No.8 Facundo Isa, who has been one of the standout performers during a disappointing Jaguares Super Rugby campaign.
Argentina won the last test between the countries in 2014 by 18-13 in Saint-Denis and should prevail again.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:10am (AEST).
Johnno
Guest
No c'mon plus withdrawls from the side and only a small preperation to prepare away. France will be much stronger in November.
Nobrain
Guest
Come on , how many french players are there in those 4 teams in Top 14? 3,4 , may be 5?
Johnno
Guest
Was France C team though. There still in season Top-14 hasn't even finished yet.
Chinmay Hejmadi
Roar Guru
Discipline kept France in the game. That's been a thorn in the Pumas' (and one of the many thorns in the Jaguares') side for a long time. Who knows what they can become if they just stop conceding so many penalties and not make rash decisions.
Damian
Guest
No surprise since Argentina have been pulling straight wins against France in the last few years. Even in world cup games. And way before making in to the rugby championship or having a super rugby franchise. Can't wait to see Los Pumas in the next world cup, hopefully not against any of the SH beasts like NZ, AU or NZ though.
Shop
Roar Guru
Great game! Both teams totally intent on playing rugby. Hopefully we'll see the same for the return match.
wardad
Guest
Thank you Adam ,I enjoyed reading through your blog in one hit .
wardad
Guest
Good on the Pumas ! Another SH win this weekend . Pity our Aussie buds couldnt have stuck it to the wee poms but 3 from 4 isnt too bad .
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Argentina: 30 v France: 19 The Pumas discipline kept France in the game. The Pumas scored a great try to win at the end. Pumas Best: Sánchez, Matera, Asa, Cordero, Petti French Best: Bonfils, Goujon.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
Matera 14 tackles, a top work rate by the blindside.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
73min: Argentina: 30 v France: 19 Guido Petti with an amazing 45m run for possibly the winning try, his second in test rugby. Sanchez converts. Petti was a member of the Argentina Under-20 side which competed in the 2013 and 2014 IRB Junior World Championships, he also represented the Argentina Jaguars side in 2013 and 2014 and played for the Pampas XV during their 2014 tour of Oceania. He made his senior debut for Los Pumas on 14 November 2014 in a 20-18 victory over Italy in Genoa. He was part of the national team that compited at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
69min: Argentina: 23 v France: 19 Sanchez misses a penalty. France back to 15 men.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
65min: Argentina: 23 v France: 19 Sanchez kicks another penalty. He has five goals from six attempts.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
60min: Argentina: 20 v France: 19 Poirot yellow carded for a deliberate knock-down. Argentina had a two man overlap. Sanchez kicks Argentina ahead.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
55min: Argentina: 17 v France: 19 Sanchez hits the post with a penalty attempt. France caught offside at the kick-off. Sanchez misses for the first time.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
53min: France: 19 v Argentina: 17 Argentina 13 penalties now. Plisson kicks France into the lead, 16 unanswered points.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
48min: Argentina: 17 v France: 16 Another penalty and the margin is only a point.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
48min: Argentina: 17 v France: 13 Argentina are now reduced to 14 men as Ortega Sesio is yellow carded.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
The penalty count is 10-2 to France.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
43min: Argentina: 17 v France: 13 France building more phases and kicking a second penalty.