Summary
Where to even begin with that game of rugby. As Jekyll and Hyde a performance from the French as you’re ever likely to see (at least until the next time). Both sides started with understandable nerves, but it was Argentina that settled first, before a two-try blitz of sumptuous running rugby from the French lit the touch paper for this game. Los Pumas rallied just before half time but it appeared their inability to make it count had left them far too much to do in the second half. That was of course not factoring for a complete capitulation from Les Bleus after the break. Credit the Argentines, who rallied, and rucked, and mauled their way back into this by pure tenacity. As the margin crept ever tighter - from 20-3 back to 20-18 it was set for a blockbuster ending. Camille Lopez’s sublime drop goal - against the run of play and with Argentina in the ascendancy - ultimately the difference, after Boffelli missed a 79th minute penalty to win it.
Hearts in mouth. High drama. Ladies and Gentlemen. The 2019 Rugby World Cup has arrived.
And as we catch our breath - if you missed any of that one, firstly commiserations, secondly, here’s the match report:
What a feast of rugby this is turning into.
Fiji with a first half scare against Australia, Argentina with a second half über-scare against France, and the big one - South Africa v New Zealand - still to come!
Luke McLaughlin is your man with a plan for that one, don’t even think about mowing the lawn/helping a neighbour with chores etc today:
It’s a hugely relieved French captain, Guilhem Guirado, at full time. He knows his side got away with one there.
There was the spectre of the come-from-behind loss to Wales during the Six Nations stalking the corridors of the French minds at the end there. At least some demons have been exorised now.
What courage from Argentina - that’s the stuff of nightmares.
They presumably copped a Ledesma lashing at half-time - they certainly came out with much better intent and aggression. But also, a return to basics. Two tries from driving mauls, classic Pumas rugby.
Spare a thought for Boffelli. One of their better performers tonight - but it was his missed penalty with just 26 seconds of regulation time left in play, that could have handed Argentina a memorable win.
What an incredible finish - what a remarkable game.
On their first half performance, France were no chance of losing; on their second half they looked like they had no intention of winning!
Camille Lopez’s drop goal ultimately the inspiration. Only off the bench after a head knock to Penaud, and what a telling contribution.
Full-time: France 23-21 Argentina
80 min: It’s Machenaud!! He turns it over in midfield and they kick it into touch. France have won - out of the fire!
And there’s a blue after the whistle. So much emotion on show, and the melee diffuses. What a dramatic conclusion!!
What an incredible, topsy-turvy contest!
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80 min: There’s our full-time gong, but we continue. Argentina with one last play, ball in hand. They’re just inside the French half - can they find the metres to line up a drop goal?
79 min: Penalty missed!! Oh my, oh my. Boffelli’s almost 50m out, and he hits it hard for the distance - it looks on track, but it fades agonisingly to the left! Heartbreaking for Los Pumas fans.
78 min: They chase their own kick aggressively, Argentina, and the French just recover. Dupont with a box kick, and Boffelli recovers.
And there’s a penalty against France!
Fickou catches Boffelli in the air - and they’ve a chance at snatching this at the death!
77 min: Penalty missed! Oh my. The first one he’s duffed all day - and how crucial might that be from Ntamack! The French fans in the crowd can’t believe their luck.
One last role of the dice, Argentina!
75 min: France work up field and Argentina are forced to clear from their own line. It will be French ball again, though - so the chance to run the clock a little.
Les Bleus win their own lineout. And now there’s a penalty against Argentina!
Petti pinged for coming in from the side. What an error from a player who’s been almost flawless all game.
74 min: Intercept by Picamoles! He’s sprung out of the line and just snaps up the half-backs pass. What a contribution.
Ledesma is raging in the Argentinian coaches box - was he offside, the Frenchman?
72 min: Turnover! Argentina earn the lineout as France spill the ball over the touchline. Big passage of play here. More substitutes - what a time to come into this contest.
70 min: Loose ball and France thump it downfield. Argentina return with a kick, but it’s Les Bleus, ball in hand, just inside their own half. Suddenly the French crowd are back in the stadium.
Drop goal! France 23-21 Argentina
69 min: Cheeky! Camille Lopez has hardly been on the pitch and he’s caught Argentina napping, and slotted the drop goal from 35m out or so - it just has the distance. That’s his first touch of the game!
Updated
Penalty! France 20-21 Argentina
Almost a complete hush falling over the stadium as the substitute kicker lined that up. It wasn’t a gimme - and he’s swept the left boot through it sweetly - and all of a sudden, Argentina are back in front! What a turnabout.
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68 min: Penaud leaves the field with a heavy head knock - that’s a concern for French fans. We have a TMO, no infringement from Boffelli on Penaud as the two plays contested the aerial ball, game continues.
They elect for the kick, Argentina. Can Urdapilleta put them in front?
66 min: Argentina look to carry, but Kremer has spilled it in contact.
Fickou with ball in hand - it seems an age since we’ve seen that - what can they come up with.
There’s a turnover, and it’s Carreras racing down the touchline! He puts it on the toe but the covering defence intercept to clean up.
A huge ball win from Petti - how good has he been today! And they’ve the chance at a shot at goals, Argentina.
64 min: Scrum, Argentinian feed. Suddenly the Southern hemisphere nation’s fans have found their voices. You didn’t know there were any in the stadium for 20-odd minutes during that first half.
63 min: Bemba carries through the middle, they look to build some phases, France. Dupont rifles a high kick, and it’s regathered by the French - but there’s a knock on.
An injury concern over Huget, who contested that kick - but he’s back on his feet.
61 min: Well, well, well. They went 20 points unanswered in the first half, but now they’re on the end of a 15-point response. They need to stem the bleeding, France - and we see more substitutions as Picamoles and Ramos trot into the game, with Alldritt and Medard making way.
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Penalty! France 20-18 Argentina
It’s the substitute Benjamin Urdapilleta who takes the penalty, and it’s sweetly struck by the left-footer. Over the dot. And the lead is suddenly back to just two!
57 min: A close call! They swing it wide, the French, but it’s ball to ground. Almost a comical moment where nobody knew where it had gone, and Argentina almost capitalise just 20m out.
It’s eventually cleared - but then a big bust from Los Pumas backs! They have it midfield, it looked like there was a try begging out wide, but the French defence hold on.
Penalty advantage, they’ll take the shot at three.
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55 min: So - how to respond if you’re Jacques Brunel and his staff? They’ve been very much second best since the restart. What was in the Argentine half-time sandwiches?
Kremer with a big hit on the kicker Ntamack. They need some old heads to stand up for France.
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Try! France 20-15 Argentina (Montoya)
And it’s the replacement hooker who crashes over! It’s the driving maul once again. Under a penalty warning they couldn’t infringe, France. It’s Old Skool Rugby from the Pumas, and the replacement front rower grabs the five-pointer.
No extras from Sanchez - he hooks that away to the left.
We’re back to one-try difference though. Game. On!
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53 min: In from the side is the penalty against the French. Referee Gardner warns against a potential yellow card. A tenth penalty of the game against France. They’ve not looked good since the break.
51 min: Have France survived? Or is there more pressure to come? Creevy makes way for Montoya, both sides continue to make the chances.
It’s another inch-perfect kick to the corner from Sanchez, they’re coming again, the Pumas!
49 min: They halt the driving maul this time, France. Argentina look to mix it up - ach. It’s a forward pass! Such a criminal error from the Pumas, they had a gilt-edged opportunity to put themselves right back in this game!
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48 min: A lovely dummy from Cubelli, who almost sneaks through the line, but France hang on. A terrific kick to the wing by Sanchez, but Penaud covers to prevent the try. It’s into touch and another Argentine offensive lineout. Big chance!
46 min: Big scrum from Argentina! They win a crucial penalty, and both sides look for the opportunity to shuffle their packs. Demba Bamba trots on for the French. What a lump of a lad.
44 min: A clever chip and chase from the French, but it’s a terrific claim from de la Fuente. It bounced up nastily, and the centre just claimed it before the onrushing attackers. But they’ve spilled the pill, Argentina and it’s a scrum to France.
Try! France 20-10 Argentina (Petti)
Lovely forward attack! They win the lineout and get the maul driving. Petti’s at the end of it, and the big second rower crashes over - there’s about five of them in blue and white over the line, they’ve bashed through the French defence.
Sanchez adds the extras, good kick.
What a start to the second half, Argentina!
Updated
42 min: Big call here for the Pumas. They win the penalty - do they take the three, or push for the line? Sanchez kicks to touch and gets it right in the corner. Good set up. What can they make of it?
Second half!
Sanchez gets us underway, and it’s not taken cleanly, but the French recover. Dupont with the kick out of scrum-half and it’s well taken at the back. Argentina on the attack.
Argentina enjoyed a touch more of the possession that half (I wonder if that includes time with ball in the scrum-halve’s hands awaiting resets) - but it was a whopping 308m carried by France compared to 113m for the Pumas.
17 defenders beaten, seven clean breaks, 11 offloads - and 17 missed tackles forced.
You read about the attacking backlines of nations like Fiji etc - but how about that from the French?
Updated
So, your assessment of that first forty? Where has the advantage been lost and gained by the two respective sides?
Half-time: France 20-3 Argentina
They started slowly, the French, with Argentina enjoying the first momentum and the first points. But a two-try blitz - in quick succession - had Les Bleus very much in the ascendancy. A late scare endured as well, but they head into the sheds comfortable leaders, France.
Updated
Penalty! France 20-3 Argentina
It wasn’t the best of his efforts, the youngster, but it sneaks between the posts. What a way to close the half for the French.
39 min: A suspected high tackle from Cubelli. It’s been a horror few minutes for the Pumas. They were right there, knocking at the door - and now as the gong sounds it’s the French with a chance to extend their lead from the boot of Ntamack.
38 min: Back to back penalties - a sloppy one to concede, from Lavanini, I believe. And they get to clear their lines, the French.
Now another chance to spread their wings. They push wide - was that forward? Another flowing backline move, they’re rapid - the French backline.
36 min: This is a little painful. We’re continuously resetting scrums. Is this over zealousness from our Australian whistle-blower, or are these two front rows just being a little naughty?
We have another penalty - this time to France! They celebrate among themselves - that could be a big turning point in this match. Ledesma rages in the coaches’ box - he’s not happy the Argentinian boss.
Updated
35 min: Another talking to the the respective front rows. It’s not going smoothly at the scrum so far.
Feed to the Pumas. 5m out. Big chance.
34 min: Another penalty against the French - offside is the call. Repeat penalties, there could be a yellow here shortly. Can they make it to the break with their full complement, France?
32 min: Argentina look to get the maul driving - they’re just metres from the line ... oh no! There’s a deflection on the pass and the ball is put down by the runner.
Angus Gardner looks at the tape and picks up the French knock on first - so they set for another scrum, Argentina.
30 min: Argentina reeling - what a blistering 15-20 minutes this has been from France. An attacking opportunity now, and they look to push for maximum points. The Pumas kick to the corner and look to set up for an attacking lineout.
Penalty! France 17-3 Argentina
Ntamack - the baby of the squad lines up a penalty attempt - and it’s straight as an arrow.
Can they send one of these six nations kickers to the Southern hemisphere to teach the NZ and Australian kickers how it’s done? Points on the board.
28 min: A set play now from the French - it’s Penaud again making the metres. But, ach. It’s a dropped ball. Once again they do the hard stuff, but duff the simple stuff, the French.
Six carries from Penaud already, six defenders beaten. Magical.
Updated
27 min: Referee Angus Gardner has been prominent early on. He’s not happy with this scrum - and talks to both teams to improve their bind. It’s another scrum penalty against the French, who go slightly too early.
25 min: A spontaneous rendition of La Marseillaise rings around this fine stadium in Tokyo.
Daniel Welsh writes in:
Not just the anthem game these teams are winning...they’re also winning the best kit competition...
For those at home - it’s two classic strips from both France and Argentina - I’m inclined to agree. Clean, classic. Lovely.
23 min: Good hands from Penaud, Dupont and Ollivon once again - this is running rugby at its finest! But it eventually goes to ground.
A break in play for an injury concern, but we’re all clear. Nine offloads already, from the French. Wow.
Try! France 14-3 Argentina (Dupont)
My, oh my! That was razzle dazzle stuff from the French! They didn’t have much room to operate in out wide, it was brilliant from Penaud, and he’s backed up on the inside by the scrum half, Dupont! He scores in the corner. Lovely.
And would you believe it - from the touchline on the other side, it’s Ntamack who knocks over another perfect conversion.
Argentina scratching their heads - what a lightning raid from the French!
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19 min: Ooph. Loose from Argentina - it’s Sanchez who fumbles with the ball and they’re forced to retreat and recover. A lot of vocal support for the French inside the stadium today, and they lift a gear every time Les Bleus get the ball.
Lovely scamper from Ollivon, they’re picking and running here, building the phases. Still a bit loose, but Fickou to keep it alive.
Try! France 7-3 Argentina (Fickou)
Terrific running rugby from the French! It’s Penaud who sparks it all with a lovely run - they swing the other side and it’s the two centres Vakatawa and Fickou who stop and start, and pick their way through the despairing Argentine defence.
And it’s an excellent conversion attempt from the touchline, Ntamack adds the extras. There’s the response from France!
Updated
15 min: France with a clever play, there’s a footrace for the corner, but Sanchez is there first to ground and Argentina drive the line dropout. Opportunity for the French to attack.
Penalty! France 0-3 Argentina
No mistake this time from Sanchez, from near dead in front.
They’ve started well, Argentina - some real momentum building there over the past few minutes. What can the French come up with?
13 min: Sanchez looks to put first points on the board - but he misses the penalty attempt! Let’s hope that doesn’t prove critical.
It’s a big run from Petti! He bashes and barges towards the line, two or three would-be defenders swatted aside - Argentina with a real chance here.
Updated
11 min: Argentinian scrum - Angus Gardner wants it reset. What a battle this will be today. And it’s a penalty to the Pumas!
Poirot pinged for not keeping his feet. I promise no jokes, but clearly that was one mystery he couldn’t solve for the French.
9 min: Some early nerves, therefore, from both sides. No surprises there - it’s the first 10 minutes of the World Cup. Big clearing kick from Argentina. But Penaud is crunched by Creevy!
The French are then penalised for a late hit - it’s marginal, and the crowd doesn’t like the decision.
Updated
7 min: A clever popped-pass on the inside, but it’s heavy traffic as Argentina struggle to make inroads. Knock on, Argentina - but France have advantage and the crowd gets engaged as they move it, ball in hand.
6 min: Ntamack flies high to claim the bomb, but he spills it forward. Argentina elect to take the lineout over the scrum - they feed right on halfway.
4 min: Good defence, France - the metres are hard up the middle for Argentina. Sanchez looks for the short crossfield kick - but he’s misjudged that too! Into touch on the full - favour returned.
3 min: Intercept! France attack, ball in hand. Brilliant work Ollivon - they have four v three on the outside, France, but they look to put it on the toe. Was that the play? It ricochets off the defender and the momentum is lost.
First scrum, and first penalty! It’s the Argentine scrum that holds up first. Watch this space over the next 80.
2 min: Ach, it’s a kicking error - not the perfect start for France, as that one flies into touch and just misses the mark.
Argentina with the lineout feed just inside the French half.
Kick off!
Allez, allez! It’s France who get us underway, and Argentina receive well, but don’t get too much distance on the clearance.
First opportunity to run with ball in hand, they start just inside the Argentinian half, France.
Updated
Anthems observed - and what an atmosphere we have here already.
Not to pick favourites, but there are anthems, and there are anthems - and let’s admit it: La Marseillaise is an anthem.
The French players belt it out with gusto. Let’s see if their early play matches that intensity.
Australia’s Angus Gardner will be the man with the whistle.
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As always fire us your best insights, quips and quibbles - via email or twitter to join the coverage. I will take late last minute predictions - but remember, your peril is potentially being wrong, on the internet, forever.
Our players are heading down the tunnel - you can already hear the noise that awaits them when they emerge into the sunlight. What a tournament this is already shaping to be, full credit Japan, as we hear the war drums thunder out this stunning stadium in Tokyo.
But without further ado, let’s get down to team news:
France:
15 Maxime Medard, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Virimi Vakatawa, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Arthur Iturria, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Bench: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Bernard Le Roux, 20 Louis Picamoles, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Camille Lopez, Thomas Ramos
Argentina:
15 Emiliano Boffelli, 14 Matias Moroni, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11 Ramiro Moyano, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Javier Ortega Desio, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
Bench: 16 Julian Montoya, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Matias Alemanno, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 23 Santiago Carreras.
Alors! Thanks for your company - what a day of rugby we have today: first the tight one between Australia and Fiji - now this tasty clash, and later, the jewel in the crown of Pool action - South Africa v New Zealand.
We’ve got Guardian liveblog action across all three, so if you missed the earlier result, here’s Gerard Meagher’s report from Sapporo:
Preamble
From Pool D to Pool C - and what a key clash this will be. On paper it’s the World No 8 v the World No 11, but those numbers are almost meaningless, given the pedigree in both these sides.
Two sides very strong at the scrum, with solid forward packs. France enjoys the historical edge between these two nations 36-14 with a solitary draw, but the Argentinians have beaten the French before at World Cup level.
The French have been on the wane recently in the six nations, but try telling a nation that’s been to a World Cup final that they don’t know how to click on the biggest stage. Similarly, it wasn’t the best Rugby Championship campaign for Argentina, but at Super Rugby level the Jaguares were a rising force, so expect the national team to profit from that continuity and understanding.
Plenty to like about both these sides - a tight one, and the ramifications for Pool C, and England, could be important.
Pop the kettle on and settle in for this one!
