Monday, June 28, 2010
Argentina post record score against France in Buenos Aires
The Pumas bounced back from the disappointment of the losses to Scotland by hammering France by scoring four tries to one, with flyhalf and captain Felipe Contepomi scoring two of the four and kicking three conversions and five penalties.
The dynamic Toulon back ended the match with a personal haul of 31 points of France ended their tour with another heavy defeat, following on from their 42-17 loss to South Africa in Cape Town a few weeks ago.
"It's desolation," said stunned France coach Marc Lievremont. "I don't know how we could sink so badly in these few weeks, to suffer two points records in South Africa and now here in Argentina. I expected tough matches, but these defeats are ridiculous. It was a nightmare."
It was Argentinas highest ever score and biggest winning margin against France, something that French captain Thierry Dusautoir was struggling to accept.
"When you concede 40 points in two successive Tests, there isn't a lot to say. We can find 50 excuses, but today we came up against a team who were just much stronger than us. We were dominated in all areas and this was our level sadly today," he said.
"For a team that has ambitions to be world champions next year, it's going to be difficult to pick ourselves up from this."
There were some brilliant tries scored by the home side, so credit must go to them, but this result will surprise many. Do France have serious problems all of a sudden, or have the players simply lost interest at the end of their season?
Time: 06:06
Posted at 2:19 pm | 58 comments
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Viewing 58 comments
Mike June 28, 2010 1:02 pm

Brain explosion by the coach? Trying new players by the dozen? Any ideas?
Anonymous June 28, 2010 1:02 pm

D0m3 June 28, 2010 1:07 pm

Very sad for France. I didnt see any of the 3/4 during the game. Not once, except for the yellow card :o
Anonymous June 28, 2010 1:10 pm

Mike June 28, 2010 1:11 pm

I just watched the highlights - do you see how uninterested the French players are during Argentina's first try? I think this is a psychological problem - I have said it on other threads, I think the season now is so long and the game is so hard that players are just exhausted and don't care anymore in these end-of-season tours.
By the way, some great skills by Contepomi - he is missed in Leinster!
Anonymous June 28, 2010 1:19 pm

D0m3 June 28, 2010 1:21 pm

When the first try is scored, France is playing 13vs15, that is why the defence seems so disorganized I think.
Jos GD June 28, 2010 1:31 pm

1) France not being France, at least not the 6N champions. Descending from a peak of peformance? Tired players? Maybe
2) The Pumas at its best, with an inspired Contepommi, a much improved Vergallo at scrum-half, a solid pack and impressive backs with and without the ball
Also Argentina was not Argentina against Scotland. June windows are always difficult for the Pumas, but the team manages to react at some time. The bad series against Scotland had impacted a lot in the psychological aspect, and hence the rebound
Ta June 28, 2010 1:38 pm

A lot of Argentinean play in France and have a long season like French...
Argentinean had a great fight spirit against a poor french team without testicles
Jos GD June 28, 2010 1:39 pm

@Anonymous 2: Lobbes' full name is Juan Martn Fernndez Lobbe. His surname is Fernndez Lobbe. Compound surnames are common in Argentina. And it's also common to see people call someone by his/her second surname.
I myself have a compound surname, Gonzlez D'Amico, and people usually call me "Jos D'Amico"
tikoala June 28, 2010 1:45 pm

When i see this game, the only thought coming in my mind is "who do you think they are ?" they are playing as they don't care and want to go in vacations, far from their level
Mike June 28, 2010 2:06 pm

About the Argentine team - do you think that they are getting stronger in the next 5 years? I think everybody looks forward to a strong Argentina team when they have a chance to compete now with NZ, Aus and SA. I was hoping they would join the 6 Nations (as most of the players are in Europe, and there is only a 3 hour time difference between Europe and Arg) but I guess there are good reasons too for joining the big Southern hemisphere teams and making a much more interesting competition there.
DESPONDENT June 28, 2010 2:54 pm

I think the Argentinians have become somewhat of an Achilles heel for the French after the 2007 RWC.
Somewhat like the Irish have become for the boks. It is also the end of the French season and like the boks they tend to lose interest at the end of the year. It all comes down to too much rugby.
Cudos to Los Pumas though they fully deserved that win and they really showed what they where capable of when firing.
NH June 28, 2010 3:02 pm

Jos GD June 28, 2010 3:08 pm

I'm from Corrientes (capital city of the northern province of the same name). I'm working in Buenos Aires temporarily, and thus I had the opportunity to watch the game here.
Yes, everyone here is expecting a stronger Pumas team, specially after the impressive 3rd place in last World Cup. And with the Argentine Union doing its homework according to the IRB exigences, I think the rugby world will see a very strong contender in the next years.
Regarding the tournament in which Pumas could play, for many people 6N would be the best fit, since almost all Pumas play his club rugby in Europe. But now they are part of the future 4 Nations. It would be tougher, but better for the team
my fund collection June 28, 2010 3:19 pm

Believer June 28, 2010 4:05 pm

"OMG they got humped by a team that couldn't even beat Scotland"
Get it into your thick heads people! Scotland have turned a corner and are a VERY good team now that nobody except probably the All Blacks can really turn up and EXPECT to beat.
If Scotland had just one a single one-off match, then it could be argued it was a fluke, but that is 2 wins against the Pumas on the trot, meaning Argentina had every opportunity to put things right in the second test and still lost.
This on the back of victory in Dublin and what really should have been at leasta triple crown, if not more in the 6 Nations.
Andy Robinson has worked wonders so far with the Scottish side who are just getting better and better, and while they may not win in the same style as Argentina beat France, they still win, consistently now it seems, against better and better teams.
Bottom line, the French were woeful, Argentina were great, and Scotland were better, full stop! So please quit with all your patronising Bullsh*t using Scotland as something resembling the lowest marker of standards or some crap like that!
Anonymous June 28, 2010 4:13 pm

Anonymous June 28, 2010 4:21 pm

Jos GD June 28, 2010 4:31 pm

The author of the 3rd try was Carballo, not Gonzlez Amorosino
Anonymous June 28, 2010 4:42 pm

As for France, well I think there is reasons they did not do well. Of course a very long season that really does not help at all, in fact it only creates more exhaustion!
Then, I also think that there is a lack of automatism between the French players. As the Top14 season becomes longer, there are even club games that are played during international games. This means that instead of having the French players staying together and working calmly on any strategies, gameplans, etc. they have to return back to their clubs, play another game and come back to Marcoussis exhausted from another game. Thats nonsense!!
Even in England, where they also have a long season, the players do not return back to their clubs during the six nation tournament.
Then, some of you will tell that the Argentinian players playing in France come also exhausted. Well, I also think the Argentinians have an attitude of never giving up, even if all odds are against. Maybe France should try to get inspired by Argentina in that way!
tikoala June 28, 2010 4:58 pm

Looks like the didn't care a thing about wining or loosing, you can't pretend to be World Champion and play seriously when it fits you.
The atitude and envy of the french squad was outrageous.
Said from a very disapointed french fan
Anonymous June 28, 2010 5:05 pm

NH June 28, 2010 5:12 pm

paquel June 28, 2010 6:13 pm

me again June 28, 2010 6:39 pm

carles June 28, 2010 6:54 pm

Scotland are a bit of an enigma of a team. Maybe teams can't show up expecting to beat them, but nobody shows up expecting to lose - if you get what I mean.
There are times when Scotland plays like a really good rugby team (albeit they still can't seem to score many tries, but that's not really a problem if they keep winning), and other times they play like boring shite.
Well done to Argentina. Is it just me, or did France look like they just gave up on defense on a number of tries? Not to take anything away from the Pumas - who played a great game - but France just didn't really look "all there", if you know what I mean.
Anonymous June 28, 2010 7:16 pm

Anonymous June 28, 2010 7:28 pm

Scotland are doing wonders but I think they have yet to put in the convincing repeat wins...ofcourse take nothing away from them, two against the argies is nothing to be sniffed at. Also I do agree these 'haha lost to a team that scotland beat etc' comments are a little pathetic....Really, when you score things up, I'd imagine the only supporter that could say that could be an NZ supporter, and they are normally a good bunch...so its a few trolls....
England: A bit on and off
Ireland: A bit off....and occasionally on
Wales: so so
France: lost this match
Italy: Came close to the boks then got battered.
Australia: lost to scotland and england
South Africa: Poor performance against Italy, lost to france last autumn etc....
NZ: Unbeaten....
Rolando June 28, 2010 10:01 pm

Siempre que lo veo esta dndose con un forward rival y lanzando punetazos. Realmente creo que esta haciendo el loco jugando rugby aun.
Flooz June 28, 2010 10:46 pm

These seasons are so long. I have the impression that the majority were already in holidays. That said, u don't offer matches when u wear the blue jersey.
Some players will lose credit to lievremont eyes. they will recognize themselves
Anonymous June 28, 2010 11:24 pm

Oh well the French can prove me wrong next 6 nations/ WC.
I also think that Parra is OVERATED!
Hught
craig June 29, 2010 3:04 am

Well done argentia I'm now looking forward to watching you guys in the expanded tri-nations.
What has happened to France? they were great tri-nations but in their only 2 tests since then the have been thumped
Nicko June 29, 2010 4:35 am

4LC4TR4Z June 29, 2010 6:54 am

Don't forget he had been seriously knee injuried when le left Leinster. He came back slow but sure. Now he is at 100%.
Juan-Martin Fernandez-Lobbe's monster.
Good try for Rafael Carballo, another Toulon former player.
Toulon 41 - French Fries 13.
Good game.
XII June 29, 2010 7:45 am

on verra.
peace
Anonymous June 29, 2010 8:04 am

Well most of those players were left to rest since they played to many games, especially Harinordoquy with his broken nose and ribs!
Oli June 29, 2010 9:50 am

If you have watched the game you can see that half the french players weren't really playing, it was the same against the Boks...
Bring back Servat, Hari, Jauzion and Basta for November and we'll start building up confidence
Anonymous June 29, 2010 10:43 am

Enhorabuena los pumas , que corazon y que equipo depues dos partidos regulares jugando asi ... animo y suerte y saludos desde espaa
Tom June 29, 2010 11:16 am

Anonymous June 29, 2010 5:30 pm

cp85 June 29, 2010 6:02 pm

but yeah.. hilarious
mise June 30, 2010 2:08 am

Can SBW be put out to 13? Thou 10 may suit him as Contepomi equally.
A problem with toulon is that they apparently don't have a reserve side, so its harder/longer to come back from injury - no game time at a reasonable level.
I do think he deserves more game time at toulon
Jos GD June 30, 2010 2:34 am

Expect an impressive Wilko-Contempomi tandem in Toulon!
college June 30, 2010 3:14 am

4LC4TR4Z June 30, 2010 6:35 am

Tu ne connais rien Toulon ni son histoire. la "Nation" n'a jamais rien fait pour soutenir Toulon et Toulon ne lui doit rien.
Ca ne date pas d'hier, mais de bien avant ta naissance.
La Fdration Francaise de Rugby n'a pas trop de leon de morale distribuer. La slection non plus quand on sait comment elle marche. Continue de les soutenir, eux, et leur "esprit rugby" Ferrassien, Lapassien, puis Blancosien... On verra ce qu'elle fera ta "nation" en 2011 et si elle n'est pas aussi ridicule que l'quipe de foot.
Anonymous June 30, 2010 1:53 pm

Am I not right?
fernandez LOB June 30, 2010 8:02 pm

Anonymous June 30, 2010 11:48 pm

vinniechan July 01, 2010 10:47 am

Dr Felipe is on fire. He doesn't mind running over/ through/ around the defence at 10 or 12 and who needs JMH lol...
Free HD TV July 02, 2010 6:26 pm

Luca July 03, 2010 2:06 pm

maybe argentines are trying new players which come from amateur argentinian teams, but call them an average team? i certainly do not believe so.
appart from that you can see it in the result, france did not present a solid team because of many new players and other reasons, but nonetheless the result was fair for a non average team against a (now) weak france.
Anonymous July 04, 2010 8:12 pm
















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