France
23
Match Complete
Argentina
21
| C. Lopez |  | 69 | ||
| 68 |  | B. Urdapilleta | ||
| 60 | | B. Urdapilleta | ||
| 53 |  | J. Montoya | ||
| 42 |  | N. Sanchez | ||
| 41 | | G. P. Pagadizaval | ||
| R. Ntamack | | 40 | ||
| R. Ntamack | | 29 | ||
| R. Ntamack | | 22 | ||
| A. Dupont | | 21 | ||
| R. Ntamack | | 18 | ||
| G. Fickou | | 17 | ||
| 14 | | N. Sanchez |
| 2 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
France face Argentina in the third match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:15pm (AEST).
France and Argentina begin their World Cup campaigns with a blockbuster Pool C clash. It’s a repeat of the 2007 tournament opener in which Los Pumas stunned the Stade de France crowd by winning 17-12 before proceeding to defeat the hosts again in the bronze medal match.
Les Blues, who were runners-up in 1987, 1999 and 2011, have won four of their previous six Test matches against Argentina, including their last two on the spin.
They have opted for Toulouse pairing Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont as their halves partnership. In Dupont France have a livewire who can cause chaos for opposition defenders at this World Cup.
Los Pumas are not in good form having lost nine Tests in a row but this is a World Cup and Argentina tend to deliver on the big stage.
Their key men include influential captain Pablo Matera and Stade Francais flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, who was the top point-scorer as Argentina reached the semi-finals four years ago.
France lead in overall matches played between the two by 36 wins to 14 but they will not forget 2007 and will be seeking revenge here.
This crunch fixture has all the makings of a classic and in a pool that also features England, Tonga and the United States, it could prove decisive.
Prediction
France to edge a tight contest by ten points.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Rugby World Cup match from 5:15pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your opinion in the comments.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:15pm (AEST)
Venue: Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Online: Live and on demand, Kayo
Betting: France $1.74, Argentina $2.00.
Teams
France
Medard, Penaud, Fickou, Vakatawa, Huget, Ntamack, Dupont, Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Iturria, Vahaamahina, Lauret, Ollivon, Alldritt
Replacements: Chat, Baille, Bamba, Le Roux, Picamoles, Machenaud, Lopez, Ramos
Argentina
Boffelli; Moroni, Orlando, De la Fuente, Moyano; Sanchez, Cubelli, Tetaz Chaparro, Creevy, Figallo, Petti, Lavanini, Matera (c), Kremer, Ortega Desio
Replacements: Montoya, Vivas, Medrano, Alemanno, Lezana, Ezcurra, Urdapilleta, Carreras
Andres
Guest
Cheika style I guess
CO)))DA
Roar Rookie
I wholeheartedly agree. I like some of the ex-players such as Nic Berry. But you can tell that they still require a lot more experience to command a match like Owens does.
Wayne Barnes, Nigel Owens to name two.
CO)))DA
Roar Rookie
I personally think that Gardner is pretty good as he balances having rapport and good communication with players without losing respect. And, generally speaking, his interpretation of the laws have the right amount of flexibility to keep the game flowing, and he is not too pedantic. He also isn’t afraid to say that he’s wrong, unlike most referees. Having said that though, I think he missed more than usual in yesterday’s match – knock ons and offsides etc. Which refs do you like CVV?
Nobrain
Roar Guru
That is for club and all way of playing rugby, these daily’s things are different. LP against France was 50-50 and the team most accurate with the feet won the game.
Bluetooth
Guest
yes i agree had to laugh when kearns said Gardner was the best of the refs today
Anibal Pyro
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately, I was rigth. Isa first choice as 8, First ball, Lezana, lost ball and Drop goal. Urdapilleta- Miotti as 10s, Nico did not do enough to be a starter today, as Moyano is not 100%. Dont be mad at me, I ve talked with some guys in there, and they were thinking the same before the game.
Germán
Roar Rookie
Well, he should know better that it was not the ref that cost us the game. You can indeed complain about the last couple of calls… But a HC cannot say that we were “refereed as if ARG was a minor rugby nation”, whatever that means. So, yes! whiny, entitled, and disrespectful.
Germán
Roar Rookie
Too many missed tackles, and a lot of costly little mistakes... Starting the second half 3 - 20 puts you in the desperate, nearly imposible situation of needing to be flawless.
frog
Guest
That last Boffelli penalty against Fickou was very softly given, to say the least. France afraid to win, as always. Maybe that will change now.
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