0
los Pumas Magnifique!!! 17-12
Pumas shock the world
From staff reporters
September 08, 2007
ARGENTINA defeated France 17-12 in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup in Paris, causing the shock result sadly absent from previous tournaments.
France 12 (9)
David Skrela (4pg)
Argentina 17 (17)
Try: Ignacio Corleto
Penalty Goals: Felipe Contepomi (4pg)
- More to follow
In a professional display that may well mark the coming of age for Argentinian Rugby Argentina ground out a remarkable victory over World Cup Hosts France.
Admittedly I couldn't stay awake during most of the first half but what I saw when the coffee finally kicked in was an incredibly hard hitting Pumas Forward pack in the last line of defence and in turning defence into deep attack.
The style of the South Americans was very much to let the opposition have the ball and during the second half they rarely went more than a couple of phases of Backs ball.
The Cup Fixtures now definitely work in los Pumas favour as they now have Namibia and Georgia to get more confidence in their Backs and a hit out for their Forwards respectively before entering into the final Pool match against Ireland knowing exactly what is required of them.
Without getting too far ahead of ourselves, Argentina now loom as a very possible Semi Final chance, if they can top Pool D, as they will play either Scotland or Italy as the second placed Pool C team.
While it will be devastating for the Hosts, this is exactly the result that this years Tournament required to get proceedings started on a positive footing.