ZCZC
BSP-03
RUGBYU-FRA-ARG
France aim to avoid another Puma mauling
PARIS, Nov 16, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – France welcome Argentina to Lille on
Saturday seeking to avoid an 11th defeat by the Pumas since the turn of the
century.
As bogey teams go, Argentina give France an itch like no other, and have
done so for more than two decades.
In 20 years, under five different coaches, various French sides, featuring
stars such as Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Chabal and Thierry Dusautoir, have
only managed seven victories over the South Americans.
Two of the most notable meetings came at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in
France.
In the opening game, with French fans expecting a positive start to the
tournament, Agustin Pichot’s Pumas silenced the 79,000 crowd at Stade de
France with a 17-12 win.
Three weeks later, they upset the locals once again to claim third place
with a thumping 34-10 victory across Paris at the Parc des Princes.
Twelve years on the sides will meet again in their opening fixture at the
World Cup in Japan.
France coach Jacques Brunel doesn’t think this weekend’s result will have
any bearing on what happens next September.
“Whatever the result, it will have very little effect on the World Cup
match, even if we think it could have a psychological impact,” he said
“We’re in completely different circumstances, for me that match will be
different to the one on the weekend.”
– Familiar foes –
Saturday’s visitors have a French feel, on and off the field. Three members
of the Argentine coaching staff — Mario Ledesma, Martin Gaitan and Gonzalo
Quesada — have all played and coached in France’s Top 14. Quesada coached
Stade Francais to the title in 2015.
Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez has been in France since 2011 playing for
Bordeaux-Begles and Toulon and will join Stade after the November
internationals. Second-row Tomas Lavanini spent the 2014-2015 season with
Racing 92.
Brunel said the familiarity gives Argentina an advantage but it will not be
the deciding factor heading into the clash at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
“Clearly they know our players better than we know theirs,” he said.
“It has an implication, but I don’t think it will determine the outcome of
the match.”
Brunel praised the work Ledesma has done since he took over from Daniel
Hourcade, who stepped down from his position in June.
“It’s a team which has evolved over the years. They have played with much
more ambition since the new coach took over,” Brunel said.
“They’re a quality side, which they’ve showed throughout their games in the
Southern Hemisphere.”
Ledesma’s side have lost three successive matches and Brunel’s outfit
haven’t won since March’s Six Nations victory over England.
The Pumas lost 28-17 to Ireland in Dublin last weekend and France fell 29-
26 to South Africa.
The focus in Lille will be on ending those losing runs, but that date next
autumn will be in the back of the two coaches’ minds.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0835 hrs