Argentina Overcome France in Tucumán

Argentina overcame France in Tucumán this evening, winning the opening test match of what is a two-match series. The South Americans were made to work hard for the win with France causing plenty of problems, especially in the forwards.

France’s makeshift selection was not expected to win in Argentina but, despite missing Clermont, Montpellier, Racing 92 and Toulon players the team nonetheless had talented players across all positions.

Ultimately the short time together was not enough to challenge Los Pumas for 80 minutes but France did have its moments and was holding a 19-17 lead as the third quarter came to a close.

The French had gone ahead through the boot of stand-in captain Jules Plisson who opened the second half with three penalties to overtake Los Pumas who had held a 17-10 half time lead.

Among the first half points were two converted tries with outside backs Manuel Montero and Joaquín Tuculet both scoring. France hit-back through Stade Français hooker Rémi Bonfils whose 32nd minute score would be France’s only try of the match.

The free-flowing rugby played by both sides was not so successful in the second half as both sides were penalized with regularity. Plisson’s three penalties were one more than those of Sánchez in the second half.

Playing in his home town, Sánchez would finish the match with 15 points as he landed the conversion of Guido Petti’s second half try.

21-year-old Petti demonstrated just how much pace he truly has by out-sprinting French backs to score under the posts. The try secured an 11 point advantage and with it the victory was sealed in the 74th minute.

Playing his 60th cap for Los Pumas, Juan Martín Hernández was unable to enjoy the win as he would have desired. The veteran inside center was forced to leave the field in just the 21st minute, being replaced by Santiago González Iglesias.

Hernández’ fitness will be evaluated over the coming days. Both teams are to have just a five day turn-around with the second test being played on Saturday June 25. A win for Argentina would complete a perfect home series after Los Pumas defeated Italy 30-24 last Saturday in Santa Fé.

ARGENTINA 30
Tries – M. Montero, J. Tuculet, G. Petti
Cons – N. Sánchez 3
Pens – N. Sánchez 3
Yellow cards – J. Ortega Desio

FRANCE 19
Tries – R. Bonfils
Cons – J. Plisson
Pens – J. Plisson 4
Yellow cards – J. Poirot

ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy (capt.), 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Tomás Lezana, 8 Facundo Isa, 9 Martín Landajo, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Manuel Montero, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 13 Matías Moroni, 14 Santiago Cordero, 15, Joaquín Tuculet

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Ignacio Larrague, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 21 Tomás Cubelli, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Ramiro Moyano

FRANCE
1 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Rémi Bonfils, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Julien Le Devedec, 5 William Demotte, 6 Loann Goujon, 7 Raphaël Lakafia, 8 Kevin Gourdon, 9 Baptiste Serin, 10 Jules Plisson (capt.), 11 Djibril Camara, 12 Jonathan Danty, 13 Julien Rey, 14 Xavier Mignot, 15 Hugo Bonneval

Replacements: 16 Clément Maynadier, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Lucas Pointud, 19 Fabrice Metz, 20 Louis Picamoles, 21 Sébastien Bézy, 22 François Trinh-Duc, 23 Gaël Fickou