France concluded their Autumn Nations Series on a triumphant note, overpowering Argentina with a commanding 37-23 victory at the iconic Stade de France, marking their third consecutive win in this month’s Tests.
Just six days after their thrilling 30-29 win against New Zealand, Fabien Galthié’s team faced little resistance from the Pumas. The French side notched up a penalty try along with impressive tries from Thibaud Flament, Gabin Villière, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey, while Thomas Ramos showcased his precision by contributing 15 points with his immaculate kicking.
Argentina managed to score two tries in the second half, courtesy of Thomas Gallo and Ignacio Ruiz, with Tomás Albornoz responsible for their remaining points. However, a lack of discipline hindered their ability to mount a serious challenge against Les Bleus, following their narrow 22-19 loss to Ireland just a week earlier.
Having triumphed over Japan in their opening match this month, France is now firmly positioned as the frontrunners for the upcoming Six Nations tournament, set to kick off on 31 January.
Argentina initially put the French side under pressure, stringing together phases to test the French defense. Yet, the hosts held firm and opened the scoring with Flament’s powerful drive over the try line.
The Pumas faced a setback early on when Julian Montoya received a yellow card for foul play in a ruck, which resulted in prop Jean-Baptiste Gros being replaced by Reda Wardi shortly after the kickoff due to a leg injury.
Albornoz successfully kicked three penalties, while Ramos responded with two of his own, narrowing the score to 13-9. However, France quickly regained control, as Villière scored a well-deserved try after a prolonged period of dominance, with Ramos converting to push the lead to 11 points.
Following this, France surged ahead to a 27-9 lead after being awarded a penalty try when Juan Martín González deliberately volleyed the ball forward to deny Bielle-Biarrey a clear path to the try line.
González was subsequently sent to the sin-bin, allowing Ramos to slot in a penalty, pushing France’s lead to 30-11 by halftime.
As witnessed in the previous match against Ireland, Argentina demonstrated their resilience by scoring a try through Gallo. However, France quickly extinguished any hopes of an Argentina resurgence as Bielle-Biarrey cleverly collected his own grubber kick, adding the fourth try for the hosts.
Although the Argentina forwards continued to apply pressure, Ruiz managed to cross the line as Les Bleus began to feel the physical toll of the game. Nevertheless, the steadfast defense held strong, ensuring a well-deserved victory, with a couple of inconsistent lineouts being the only blemish on an otherwise solid performance.
How does Manuel Carriza believe Argentina can improve their discipline and consistency ahead of future tournaments?
**Interview with Manuel Carriza, Former Argentine Rugby International**
*Interviewer:* Welcome, Manuel Carriza, and thank you for joining us today. Let’s dive right into France’s recent performance against Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series, where France secured a convincing 37-23 victory. What were your initial thoughts on the match?
*Carriza:* Thank you for having me. I’d say that the result reflects France’s current form and strength as a team. They executed their game plan very effectively, especially with their strong forward play and precise kicking from Thomas Ramos. It’s clear they have built a cohesive unit under Fabien Galthié.
*Interviewer:* France has now achieved three consecutive wins this month, following a thrilling victory over New Zealand. How do you assess their momentum going into the Six Nations?
*Carriza:* France is certainly a formidable opponent right now. Their confidence is high after such wins, and they have shown the ability to adapt and perform under pressure. Their attacking game is fluid, which will serve them well in the Six Nations starting in January. However, they must maintain their focus as they face tougher competition.
*Interviewer:* In this match, Argentina did manage to score two tries in the second half. Despite the final score, do you think there were moments of promise for the Pumas?
*Carriza:* Yes, there were indeed glimpses of potential from Argentina. The tries by Thomas Gallo and Ignacio Ruiz indicate that they can break down defenses. However, discipline was an issue, as it often is when facing a dominant side like France. You can’t afford penalties against such teams; they capitalize on every opportunity.
*Interviewer:* You mentioned discipline. What can Argentina learn from this match as they prepare for future tournaments?
*Carriza:* They need to focus on basic errors and maintaining composure under pressure. Rugby can be ruthless, and against teams like France and Ireland, every little mistake can be punished severely. Their performance against Ireland last week was promising, but the inconsistency needs to be addressed.
*Interviewer:* as an experienced player, what do you think will be key for both teams as they approach their next challenges in the upcoming year?
*Carriza:* For France, it’s about capitalizing on their current momentum and refining their strategies. For Argentina, it’s crucial to build on their strengths while addressing weaknesses like discipline and consistency. Both teams have the talent to be competitive, but execution will be vital.
*Interviewer:* Thank you, Manuel, for your insights. It’s going to be an exciting year ahead for rugby fans as we head into the Six Nations!
*Carriza:* Thank you! It’s always exciting to see how teams evolve and perform in major tournaments.
