France power past Pumas
17 Nov 2012
GARETH DUNCAN watched France break down an early 13-3 deficit to secure a 39-22 win over Argentina in Lille.
Former France coach Marc Lievremont once highlighted Les Bleus’ inconsistencies by saying: ‘One day, my team will deliver an 18/20 performance. The next week, they’ll put in an 8/20 performance.’
However, his successor Philippe Saint-Andre seems to be getting the best out of his charges as they added a good win over Argentina to their 33-6 thrashing of the Wallabies in Paris last Saturday.
An upset was on the cards as the Pumas rushed into a 10-point advantage during the first quarter of the fixture. However, France gained the ascendancy thereafter thanks to their accurate tactical kicking game, smart interplay and resilient defence.
After a frantic first half, the hosts did well to suffocate and restrict the Pumas by bossing possession and tightening up the game. Argentina threatened in the loose, but their attack stifled as soon as France delivered more appropriate tactics after the break.
With flyhalf Frederic Michalak, who kicked 24 points with the boot, slotting four penalties and a drop goal in the second half, France sealed the win.
Argentina started off strongly as they secured an early try via inside centre Marcelo Bosch. The midfielder enjoyed an easy run to the whitewash after clever passing and support play. Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez added the conversion before slotting two penalties.
However, France rallied into a 24-13 half-time lead thanks to a brace from wing Vincent Clerc and flank Yannick Nyanga, who’s been in great form after a five-year international absence.
Clerc’s first came from great interplay among backs and forwards, which exposed the Argentine defence out wide, before a clever chip put the veteran through for his double. Nyanga showed great power as he attacked around the fringes to motor to the tryline.
The second stanza saw no tries scored as both teams battled via the boot. Michalak enjoyed more successful shots at goal (five compared to Sanchez’s three) and kicked France to victory.
70 Comments
17 Nov 2012, 21:43 pm
Headline changing dragons
17 Nov 2012, 22:06 pm
This is rugby. Watch this, Meyer, Tac, IloveyouBakkiesBotha and the others.
17 Nov 2012, 22:20 pm
Finally.
17 Nov 2012, 22:30 pm
France vs Argentina live >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
France vs Argentina live >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
France vs Argentina live >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
17 Nov 2012, 22:38 pm
Is anyone else happy we are not playing France this tour? What pisses me off is we have the talent to play this amazing type of rugby but just look so farking flat with out current coaching structure.
17 Nov 2012, 22:43 pm
France (at home) are the only country to give NZ a decent go. What a pity they are not playing this tour. The Boks have been a snor fest this whole year and this game is more exciting than all the Bok games combined.
Even Snor’s boks gave a better showing and I couldn’t stand Snor.
17 Nov 2012, 22:48 pm
Live France vs Argentina TV >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
Live France vs Argentina TV >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
Live France vs Argentina TV >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
17 Nov 2012, 22:50 pm
these frenchies would moer the bokke
17 Nov 2012, 23:01 pm
watch France vs Argentina live >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
watch France vs Argentina live >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
watch France vs Argentina live >> http://liverugbysports.com/details.php?newsid=758
17 Nov 2012, 23:03 pm
“purple patch” freddie is on FIRE!
17 Nov 2012, 23:05 pm
@mimsumi-9:
Stop spamming douche bag!
17 Nov 2012, 23:17 pm
PICAMOLES!
17 Nov 2012, 23:17 pm
Not to be too cynical but doesn’t this commentator give more insight and excitement by himself than any of our SA commentators. It’s very football like I know but it really adds to the game.
17 Nov 2012, 23:26 pm
Seems Boks are lucky not to be playing France on this tour.
In fact even the ABs with their slow starts would have problems against this
French team at home.
17 Nov 2012, 23:27 pm
Not sure if drop goals will win it for Argies
hopefully they will push france last 20 min
17 Nov 2012, 23:27 pm
15 min sorry
17 Nov 2012, 23:28 pm
@Hurricane-14:
yeah lucky you guys are not playing them
17 Nov 2012, 23:29 pm
@CoachPete-17:
But you are with me the the Boks would not do very well against the French.
17 Nov 2012, 23:31 pm
I am not so sure We dont have that mental block Vs the frenchies
I think it would be close maybe French win
17 Nov 2012, 23:35 pm
@Hurricane-18:
The Boks won’t try to beat them at there own game.
Make no mistake, it’s great watching them play the way they do, but not sure they would be so enterprising when being strangled in a mundane game.
Pity we won’t find out though.
17 Nov 2012, 23:36 pm
@CoachPete-19:
All blacks last 15 games against the french.
ABs won 12 drew 1 and lost 2
In that same time Boks have played france 10 times.
Boks have won 3 drew 1 and lost 6
So you tell me who has the mental block again?
17 Nov 2012, 23:36 pm
@nortierd-20:
I think IRB should have france play 4 matches in November
ABs , boks Oz and Pumas
17 Nov 2012, 23:37 pm
@Hurricane-21:
WC games 
I was talking about the big games
17 Nov 2012, 23:38 pm
@nortierd-20:
It is odd how SH teams skip France, well Boks do alot.
We have 3 tests against them next year.
17 Nov 2012, 23:39 pm
ABs loss in 1999
ABs loss in 2007
I point win in NZ
17 Nov 2012, 23:40 pm
@CoachPete-22:
Agree 100 percent
They certainly spice things up
A rematch against the AB’s at home… I would pay to see that
17 Nov 2012, 23:40 pm
@CoachPete-23:
lol
I said this tour. Not talking about RWC.
17 Nov 2012, 23:41 pm
@soulfusion-6: “France (at home) are the only country to give NZ a decent go.”
Quite opposite – France AT HOME always got thrashed by the Blacks since 2004 when Carter faced them for the first time. France NEVER EVER have scored a single try in those games.
2009 12-39
2006 11-23 (France kicked a penalty in the dying seconds, ffs, so demoralized they were)
2006 3-47
2004 6-45
So the only place where they are dangerous is anywhere AWAY from home.
17 Nov 2012, 23:42 pm
@Hurricane-24:
As long as Ras doesn’t sing the anthem, I’m all for it
Maybe they are still boicotting France for that fiasco
17 Nov 2012, 23:43 pm
@Hurricane-27:
French dont care too much about friendlies They play you tough when it counts
17 Nov 2012, 23:43 pm
@soulfusion-6: Oh, my apologies, they squeezed one in 2006.
17 Nov 2012, 23:43 pm
hurricane: look @ comment #8…
nuff said.
17 Nov 2012, 23:45 pm
@Nils-28:
One things is 100% true you can never tell with the french
17 Nov 2012, 23:46 pm
@nortierd-29:
Maybe.
@CoachPete-30:
Friendlys ? lol
No mates on the paddock during game time.
17 Nov 2012, 23:47 pm
@CoachPete-30: So it counts for one game in 4 years? We all remember that in the NEXT game after the game that supposedly only one “counted” they were as potent as eunuchs in the brothel. Just ask Aussies and Poms.
17 Nov 2012, 23:47 pm
this is a very good French team. Theyre throwing the ball around with glee and abandon and mostly controlling it. Fast recycling too. Theyd take the Boks anyday on current form.
17 Nov 2012, 23:48 pm
@CoachPete-33: True, I just pointed out that at home vs Blacks they are the weakest.
17 Nov 2012, 23:48 pm
@Transformation-32:
They are a top team really Trans.
Consistency sucks big time for the french and it seems a bit of depth problems as well but if there #1 team clicks it is curtains for most teams.
17 Nov 2012, 23:49 pm
@Hurricane-34:
France Vs Tonga In WC
Not important to the french
17 Nov 2012, 23:49 pm
Fark, Pumas got whipped by more than 15, that’s really bad for their rankings prior the draw. As for the French, well done, very impressive!
17 Nov 2012, 23:49 pm
@Hurricane-38: yep on a good day the French are devastating – lack consistency though but this is 2 good ones in a row.
17 Nov 2012, 23:49 pm
@Nils-31:
No prob 8). I was just looking at current form:
1) NZ by far
2) France
3) Daylight
4) Who knows
Doubt France would beat NZ but at least give them the best go this year (besides Aus some how when they drew)
As an SA fan I am so depressed by SA’s performances this year.
17 Nov 2012, 23:50 pm
@Nils-37:
Yes strange bunch the french
17 Nov 2012, 23:50 pm
Difference in mindset
We get a penalty on 80 minutes, game won and boot it out
France gets a penalty on 80 minutes, game won, they tap and go and try for another score
17 Nov 2012, 23:51 pm
Argies showing some good sportsmanship there.
17 Nov 2012, 23:52 pm
@Nils-40:
I said earlier French AB game would have been amazing
IRB should have seen that maybe?
I know they make the schedule well in advance
But that said ABS should still win
17 Nov 2012, 23:52 pm
@nortierd-44: yeah the old defeatist take the win. SA have no self belief they just cling on for dear life in the dying moments.
17 Nov 2012, 23:52 pm
@soulfusion-42: In this year – while playing like that – they probably would give Blacks a scare, here I agree, as Blacks themselves ain’t immune from the lapses and mistakes. Thay might even win and thus end the sorrow tradition of recent decade.
17 Nov 2012, 23:54 pm
@CoachPete-46: Frankly, I believe that in each and every November tour France should face the ABs, the Boks and Aussies/Argentina, while squeezing the fourth game for the islanders. It always should be that way, as those Tests are monsters and should also generate the biggest money available.
17 Nov 2012, 23:55 pm
@soulfusion-42:
yes agreed
1. ABs
2, France ( well in the distance )
3-10 anyone
maybe
3. boks
4. Oz
5. Pumas
6 England
7 Ireland
8 Samoa
9 Wales
10 Scotland
10
17 Nov 2012, 23:56 pm
@CoachPete-39:
First loss to Tonga, believe it as not friendly in the french changing rooms after the match
17 Nov 2012, 23:56 pm
Anyway, glad to see French playing really well in successive Tests. Unless unthinkable happens vs Samoa, French should have 1st pot of the WC draw in the bag.
17 Nov 2012, 23:56 pm
@Nils-49:
I said that earlier yes
Because France are usually the strongest of european countries
17 Nov 2012, 23:58 pm
@Hurricane-51:
Idk i was not there
17 Nov 2012, 23:59 pm
@CoachPete-53: Indeed they are.
18 Nov 2012, 00:01 am
@Nils-52:
Just hope we dont get England again
18 Nov 2012, 00:01 am
ok out of here cheers Kiwis
18 Nov 2012, 00:04 am
@CoachPete-54:
Trust me.
@CoachPete-57:
Cheers coach
18 Nov 2012, 00:07 am
And so for the upcoming WC draw we have clear four leaders ahead of the 2nd pot of teams and only England have remote chance to sneak in. Dogfight between Ireland and Argentina plus desparate Welsh to decide who crashes out to the 3rd pot to – very probably – make way for the Samoans.
18 Nov 2012, 00:10 am
@CoachPete-56: Then you should lose heavily to them now, simple. On the bad side, then you could get Kiwis.
18 Nov 2012, 09:01 am
watched a replay of this game. thoroughly enjoyable. although the pumas lost, its evident their inclusion in TRC and GHs input has helped take their game to a higher level.
fast becoming my second favourite team.
18 Nov 2012, 16:25 pm
On current form France would comfortably beat the Boks and have the edge on the All Blacks – fantastic for the game because they play the most exciting rugby. It’s not only about winning – the game has a soul.
18 Nov 2012, 17:04 pm
@Nils-28:
In 2001 (I think, or thereabouts) in the heyday Olivier Magne they put +40 points past the All Blacks in Marseilles for the win (only one of 4 occasions anyone has done that) and if you tell Buck Shelford France is a pushover he might just clock you … whisper in his ear “Remember Nantes” and he definitely will clock you.
As any genuine All Black player will tell you they are massive “when they come to play” – you just don’t know when that it is; everyone agrees that when it actually happens it’s the best there is and the definitely the most attractive to watch. And that is the prime reason enigmatic les Bleurs fascinate – and if you don’t get it, I can’t explain it.
18 Nov 2012, 17:08 pm
@nortierd-44:
Noticed that as well – sort of says it all, doesn’t it?
Although I would imagine AB’s would also play on because they are ruthless to the last second.
18 Nov 2012, 20:48 pm
@J.B. Cowper-63: Of course, they are awesome, when ‘come to play’. The problem is – how we can define when that happens? When they play and win impressively? Or when? Because then any other game (and any loss) can be easily written off, say – whatever, they just did not come to play.
Since that game 12 years ago those performances have been – let’s say honestly – a quite rare occasion. And, IMHO, it has more to do with the quality of opposition than French themselves deciding whether come or not to play.
18 Nov 2012, 20:51 pm
@J.B. Cowper-63: I sincerely hope, their latest games are signs of great positive things to come from France. They have the necessary class.
19 Nov 2012, 03:10 am
@Hurricane-18:
Frogs would klap the AB’s the way they playing on condition Joubert is not the ref
French v Samoa should be a good smash fest this weekend!!
19 Nov 2012, 03:58 am
@whatever-67: What makes you think the opposition would allow them to play like that?
I recall Frenchies come out with all guns blazing in their home games in 04, 06, 09 and 10 – always starting with a bang and allo those games ended in tears and boos long before the final whistle. Why it would be any different this time – as that outcome happens more frequently than them smashing the opposition in style like this month.
19 Nov 2012, 05:01 am
@whatever-67:
And what makes you think that?
Is it because they beat Ozzie and Argentina?
We beat them as well.
Or are you going on the Ireland game where France drew with them and we beat Ireland in 3 tests and one was an absolute hammering of 60-0.
See now i honestly dont know how you can say they would beat us, all i know is i would always back the ABs to beat anyone. Lets face it, if you were a gambler and never back the ABs you would be a broke man.
Out of the last 15 games they have beat us twice and drew once.
They have played awesome rugby in those years as well so them beating NZ is not a given as you think it is.
And what has Joubert got to do with anything?
Are you saying a South African ref is dodgy?
So you are complaining about South African refs now……is there any ref safe from the South African supporters whinge club?
19 Nov 2012, 13:28 pm
@Nils-65:
@Nils-66:
Heck mate – who knows – not even sure God does. In a way those stats you quote affirm their enigmatism – is it Wales or Ireland (or both) who have similar stats against the AB’s – yet you’d never expext them to win – and if they ever did, it would be a one-off. Even at peak they have a ceiling (1970′s Welsh side excepted).
But the Frogs – you might not want to remember ’99 but only 3 months prior to that they lost 54-7 to NZ.
The thing is they have more bandwidth than anyone else – I think we can all agree on that.
Good chatting with you.
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