Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Argentina post record score against France in Buenos Aires

Monday, June 28, 2010

Argentina post record score against France in Buenos Aires

Argentina, who lost their two match series with Scotland recently, managed to achieve their best ever result against France, as they beat them convincingly 41-13 in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

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 Argentina’s 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

What the hell has happened to France? I didn't see any of their last couple of games, but they were magnificent in the 6 Nations, and now they have lost to a team that Scotland beat twice in the last couple of weeks??

Brain explosion by the coach? Trying new players by the dozen? Any ideas?

By Mike, at June 28, 2010 3:02 pm
It's always nice to see the French lose, especially like this :P

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 3:02 pm
@Mike what is scary is that there is no real reason to this...

Very sad for France. I didnt see any of the 3/4 during the game. Not once, except for the yellow card :o

By D0m3, at June 28, 2010 3:07 pm
does anybody know how wilkinson seems to be keeping contepomi on the bench at toulon? surely this display from the argentinian captain proves that he's far better than the england 2nd choice fly half

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 3:10 pm
D0m3 -
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!

By Mike, at June 28, 2010 3:11 pm
er... who's fernandez lob? It's lobbe!

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 3:13 pm
jauzion, servat where are you ? marty, porical what are you doing in the squad ?

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 3:19 pm
Mike
When the first try is scored, France is playing 13vs15, that is why the defence seems so disorganized I think.

By D0m3, at June 28, 2010 3:21 pm
Mike, I was at Velez Sarsfield watching the game, and trying to take the bias aside (I'm Argentinean) what I can tell is there was a combination of

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

By José GD, at June 28, 2010 3:31 pm
No excuse for France!

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

By Taï, at June 28, 2010 3:38 pm
@Anonymous 1: I think Toulon hired Contepomi to be no. 12, where he excels too. He was at bench probably because of Sony Bill Williams. He's 10 at Pumas only when Hernández isn't available.

@Anonymous 2: Lobbes' full name is Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe. His surname is Fernández 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, González D'Amico, and people usually call me "José D'Amico"

By José GD, at June 28, 2010 3:39 pm
I'm french and tireness is not an excuse, ok the season was so long and stressfull but the english was able to won in australia so don't take that excuse.

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

By tikoala, at June 28, 2010 3:45 pm
Thanks RD! Fantastic match

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 4:06 pm
Jose, I guess you are a Porteño then? I lived in Buenos Aires for 6 months, I love that place.

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.

By Mike, at June 28, 2010 4:06 pm
I don't think people should read too much into this. I mean losing against the scottish and then whipping the french like this? CRAZY!

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.

By DESPONDENT, at June 28, 2010 4:54 pm
So does this make the scottish performance look better? or can we not compare the matches?

By NH, at June 28, 2010 5:02 pm
Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe; What a player!!!

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 5:04 pm
@Mike
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

By José GD, at June 28, 2010 5:08 pm
pursonally I would print this quandity loss and turn it into a win for the soon winning team

By my fund collection, at June 28, 2010 5:19 pm
I get really pissed off with all the comments along the lines of

"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!

By Believer, at June 28, 2010 6:05 pm
Too many key players were missing for the french team (Jauzion, Harinordoquy, Servat, Rougerie...)

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 6:13 pm
@Believer - yeah but Scotland lost to Italy this year, ITALY! LOL

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 6:21 pm
Hearing the English-speaking commentators, I confirmed a confusion that saw earlier in scrum.com, regarding Pumas' wingers names. No. 11 is Lucas González Amorosino, No. 14 is Rafael Carballo.
The author of the 3rd try was Carballo, not González Amorosino

By José GD, at June 28, 2010 6:31 pm
First of all, congrats to argentina. Even though they were tired, they still gave it all and were rewarded with a win.

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. That´s 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!

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 6:42 pm
Stop it with the exhaustion and key player missing crap !

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

By tikoala, at June 28, 2010 6:58 pm
It's a kind of joke. Plz tell me it was. One step forward (6N), four steps back (Summer), it's our story in France (and don't speak about SH vs NH, Scotland beats them... twice !!!).

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 7:05 pm
rome is a hard place to play as the english found out but i can't see this scotland team losing to italy again anytime soon

By NH, at June 28, 2010 7:12 pm
Servat,Chabal,Harinordoquy,Jauzion,Bastareaud, Where are you ??????!!!!!

By paquel, at June 28, 2010 8:13 pm
lol the commentator messed up with Carballo's try

By me again, at June 28, 2010 8:39 pm
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.

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.

By carles, at June 28, 2010 8:54 pm
Scotland are definitely looking good for next year. They beat Ireland, should have beaten Wales, drew with Italy, and now the recent victories over the Argies. I'm not sure what happened against Italy but Scotland should not be dismissed.

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 9:16 pm
Believer, I'd admire your enthusiasm, but I feel its a little more like carles says....

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....

By Anonymous, at June 28, 2010 9:28 pm
Es cierto lo de que Roncero no sabe formar en el scrum. Mas de la mitad de las veces que se arma un scrum acaban cobrandole un free kick o un penal, ya sea por entrar antes, por tirar hacia abajo, por formar torcido, etc.

Siempre que lo veo esta dándose con un forward rival y lanzando punetazos. Realmente creo que esta haciendo el loco jugando rugby aun.

By Rolando, at June 29, 2010 12:01 am
One word to say: holidays

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

By Flooz, at June 29, 2010 12:46 am
i was not shore if this french team was better than all of the British and Irish players or just fitter. From this evidence it looks as if they were just fitter because they didn't have a lions tour and their pack was just to energetic for the British and irish packs.
Oh well the French can prove me wrong next 6 nations/ WC.
I also think that Parra is OVERATED!

Hught

By Anonymous, at June 29, 2010 1:24 am
contepomi's celebrations are hilarious

By Anonymous, at June 29, 2010 2:33 am
Well I didn't see this result coming. When I saw the score I thought it was France that won, I never would have thought the Argies could win by this much (esp after 2 loses to scotland).
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

By craig, at June 29, 2010 5:04 am
Contepomi is such a character... Great player too, where does he fit in with Toulon? is he a bench warmer or do they play him in another position??

By Nicko, at June 29, 2010 6:35 am
Don't worry for Felipe in Toulon, he'll play in a 10-12 12-10 combination with Jonny that will hurt many defenses.
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.

By 4LC4TR4Z, at June 29, 2010 8:54 am
SCOTLAND FOR 2011 WORLD CUP !!!

By Braveheart, at June 29, 2010 8:57 am
hey toulonnais alcatraz t'en aies meme arrive a renier ta nation... Toi meme tu piges que toulon c'est du mercenariat... ALALA. Time will tell mais toulon n'est qu'une grosse tumeur pour le rugby: elle peut etre benefique pendant quelques annees, puis elle entraine la mort, d'un coup...

on verra.

peace

By XII, at June 29, 2010 9:45 am
@ paquel

Well most of those players were left to rest since they played to many games, especially Harinordoquy with his broken nose and ribs!

By Anonymous, at June 29, 2010 10:04 am
That's the best thing that could happen to french rugby. Yes, i'm serious. Such a humiliation against a very average team should giver them the kick in the butt they need to get to the world cup with anger and a feeling of revenge.
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

By Oli, at June 29, 2010 11:50 am
Well done Argentina , once again showing the world that they are and have been for some time a class team with a lot of talent and passion. England beware of the puma it could maul your rose to death in 2011.

Enhorabuena los pumas , que corazon y que equipo depues dos partidos regulares jugando asi ... animo y suerte y saludos desde españa

By Anonymous, at June 29, 2010 12:43 pm
at 2.55 when the french score their first try, is it just me or does the french #11 look MASSIVE?

By Tom, at June 29, 2010 1:16 pm
When does Dupuy come back ? Parra is pathetic.

By Anonymous, at June 29, 2010 7:30 pm
contepomi's celebrations are ridiculous.

but yeah.. hilarious

By cp85, at June 29, 2010 8:02 pm
Sonny Bill and Contepomi seemed to have clicked well on occasion with Toulon (cf that incredible match vs Clermont)

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

By mise, at June 30, 2010 4:08 am
@Mise, Sony Bill Williams is not in Toulon anymore, he's returning to New Zealand and will play for the Crusaders.
Expect an impressive Wilko-Contempomi tandem in Toulon!

By José GD, at June 30, 2010 4:34 am
I wonder how much action SBW will see with the Crusaders. I'm wondering if he'll sit on the bench for quite a while before he gets his chance...I mean, he's a great player but the Crusaders have their choice of talent.

By college, at June 30, 2010 5:14 am
@XII : C'est toi et ton discours de hooligan footeux lobotomisé, le cancer.

Tu ne connais rien à Toulon ni à 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 Fédération Francaise de Rugby n'a pas trop de leçon de morale à distribuer. La sélection 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'équipe de foot.

By 4LC4TR4Z, at June 30, 2010 8:35 am
As we cannot say that the french team was more exhausted than the Argentinian's, it highlights the fact than Contepomi who hardly played this year could run through an entire defense of player having played the whole season.

Am I not right?

By Anonymous, at June 30, 2010 3:53 pm
that 'lob' is a good player, they would be an even better side if lobbe was playing too! : )

By fernandez LOB, at June 30, 2010 10:02 pm
Sonny Bill will go straight into the starting line up for the Crusaders... No. 12 will be his. NZRU will want him playing every second possible to establish if he's an AB contender or not.

By Anonymous, at July 01, 2010 1:48 am
This comment has been removed by the author.

By vinniechan, at July 01, 2010 12:40 pm
I don't think we should read too much into this game either. The French scrum which was so dominant in the 6N was turned by the Pumas, and the Scots beat the Pumas with a forward battle...
Dr Felipe is on fire. He doesn't mind running over/ through/ around the defence at 10 or 12 and who needs JMH lol...

By vinniechan, at July 01, 2010 12:47 pm
Love seeing the French lose! Come on the pumas!

By Free HD TV, at July 02, 2010 8:26 pm
oli, i believe that a team that finished 3rd in the previous IRB worldcup is not precisely an average team as you say.
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.

By Luca, at July 03, 2010 4:06 pm
I am an Argentine man and I think Contepomi is an incredible player, he is intelligent, strong, creative, he's really good kicking, and he has a lot of courage. Every match, he do everything he can do to win and he plays with the heart, something that only a few of players do nowadays. He feel this sport and the colours of Argentina. In my opinion he is one of the 3 best first centres of the world. French people stop playing with stars players, you need some heart and a pair of big eggs, nothing more.

By Anonymous, at July 04, 2010 10:12 pm