Argentina vs France, Córdoba

[Melhor Time]

Pumas team named

1 Eusebio Guiñazú (Biarritz, France)
2 Bruno Postiglioni (Los Pampas XV)
3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (Stade Français, France)
4 Benjamín Macome (Los Pampas XV)
5 Esteban Lozada (Agen, France)
6 Julio Farías Cabello (Los Pampas XV)
7 Tomás De la Vega (Los Pampas XV)
8 Tomás Leonardi (Los Pampas XV)
9 Martín Landajo (Los Pampas XV)
10 Ignacio Mieres (Exeter Chiefs, England)
11 Manuel Montero (Los Pampas XV)
12 Felipe Contepomi (Stade Français, France)
13 Joaquín Tuculet (Grenoble, France)
14 Belisario Agulla (Agen, France)
15 Román Miralles (Los Pampas XV)


Reserves: 16 Andrés Bordoy (Pau, France), 17 Pablo Henn (Brive, France), 18 Rodrigo Bruno (Los Pampas XV), 19 Rodrigo Báez (Los Pampas XV), 20 Tomás Cubelli (Los Pampas XV), 21 Benjamín Urdapilleta (Oyonnax, France), 22 Facundo Barrea (Los Pampas XV)

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I don't know what to think of that side. What are your thoughts Melhor?

As for France, if you assume that the Toulouse players will be given a rest, then the 12 forwards pick themselves, only with a propping decision to make. Florian Fritz is the only one likely to be rested from the backs. I think we will see this:
1. Watremez
2. Szarzewski
3. Attoub
4. Papé
5. Taofifenua
6. Ouedraogo
7. Lapandry
8. Lakafia
9. Parra
10. Michalak
11. Fall
12. Mermoz
13. Fofana
14. Huget
15. Buttin

16. Tolofua
17. Debaty
18. Samson/Maestri (the fitter one)
19. Chouly
20. Trinh-Duc/Machenaud (as an "experimental" test, I don"t think we'll see both a 9 and a 10 on the bench, probably ues Parra as 10 cover or Michalak as 9 cover)
21. Doumayrou
22. Dullin

 

[Melhor Time]

A pessimistic look says the side is weak and stands no chance against France. The 24 missing players need to be there.

An optimistic look says they are mainly emerging players who have done well in the Vodacom Cup and are needed to complete the 30 man squad. Its a team game and having a good reserve is as important as a good starter. For instance, a good scrum is nothing without a good replacement prop. Having defeated Italy and been the much better team its looking good at this stage and the PladAR system is being validated.

I think its closer to the optimistic side to be fair. The way Los Pampas XV play is vastly different to the stereotypical Argentine rugby and with Graham Henry there the whole idea is for Argentina to score a much higher ratio of tries per test. The team has been together for a while, unlike France and had Phelan gone for more Top 14 and Aviva Premiership players then they´d be playing a closed tight game. Also the French team is a case of a hit or miss. No time together. The Top 14 Final and Semi Finals had no tries. The players don´t really no each other too well and the coach is new. So France could win big, as in theory France should, or it could not work out well.

Seeing Tuculet named at 13 is really interesting as Argentina don´t have Tiesi due to injury and the other options are Bosch and Agulla with neither being 13´s but being more than capable of playing there. Its a good indication that Tuculet is close to making the 30 man squad for TRC. Montero starting is great news too. Such potential in this guy, only 20 years old. I think with him and Belisario Agulla Argentina have a good pair of wingers. Miralles is capable, he played for Castres and is there based on his form in the past two Vodacom Cup´s. While the 9-10-12 combination opf Landajo, Mieres and Contepomi all did well last week and deserve to be there. I doubt many people would like JMH playing this match. The only thing to say is that Martín Landajo is not as good as Tomás Cubelli who is on the bench. I would assume Cubelli will start next week. Retaining Landajo makes sense as he was impressive vs Italy. But surely only one of these two will make the squad for TRC as both Vergallo and Figuerola have been named. Thus, Cubelli should be the player.

Argentina have an issue in the backrow. Fernández Lobbe was outstanding for Toulon in the Top 14 play-off´s. Leguizamón is a strong performer too. But elsewhere there is little to go on. Alvaro Galindo was great in the 2010-2011 Top 14 but in the season just completed he missed most due to injury. He is in the squad for TRC but I don´t see him starting. Senatore looks likely to be in the 22 either at 8 or on the benchwhile the guy to really watch vs France is Tomás de la Vega. Very young, at 21 but a fetcher - something Argentina never produces. Macome and Lozada are in consideration for a place in TRC but just because Mariano Galarza is injured. Lozada is the better player and will be one to pay attention to. Its therfore interesting that Farías is playing in the backrow as he was secondrow for the Vodacom Cup this year. Leonardí replacing Senatore makes sense given Senatore played vs all of Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Italy. Leonardí played 7 vs Mauro Bergamasco and was much better than the Italian.

I´d say the players in bold are the ones who are in contention for TRC. (There are 6 vacant places)

 

[French TommyGun]

Here's the french for saturday:

Le XV français : Dulin (Agen) - Buttin (Clermont), Fofana (Clermont), Fritz (Stade Toulousain), Huget (Bayonne) - (o) Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), (m) Parra (Clermont) - Picamoles (Stade Toulousain), Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Lauret (Biarritz) - Maestri (Stade Toulousain), Papé (Stade Français, cap.) - Attoub (Stade Français), Szarzewski (Stade Français), Watremez (Biarritz).

Remplaçants : Tolofua (Stade Toulousain), Debaty (Clermont), Taofifenua (Perpignan), Lapandry (Clermont), Machenaud (Agen), Michalak (Sharks/RSA), Mermoz (Perpignan)

The team hasn't looked this alien to me in a long long time! I haven't been able to follow the top 14 this years as I'm living I England =( does this team look promising???

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Looks alright. I'm surprised they've included Maestri and Picamoles. And Lapandry should start. I haven't seen much of Dulin, but word is that he's very talented. Watremez has done well, kept Barcella on the bench all year. Attoub is a good scrummager, not much more (we don't ask much more from a 3 usually, Mas is the exception). Second row is the same as in the 6N. Ouedraogo deserves a comeback, as he's still young. Lauret has been alright, but he wouldn't make my 22.
Looks promising, and is not as experimental as it seems. I'd say it's "first choice" if you don't consider the players that are being rested, and there are only two new caps in the 15 (plus a player with a single cap).

 

[justanargie]

Melhor, I don`t know if u r brazilian or an "just an argie" but what I`m sure that you inform better that our media, I wanted to congratulate u. "Ole", the most important sport newspaper is terrorific... you have to read the comments to know what it's going on really...

Moreover, did u notice that last test match was at the same time that ARG-BRA?! Ridiculous... we have to support the sport in all aspects... thanks for represent us in the forum

 

[Melhor Time]

I have gone for France by 6 points. Either side can win but really saying France won´t is a huge call given that the Pumas side is mainly local absed players. It is a true test of the progress of the PladAR system and Los Pampas XV.

Melhor, I don`t know if u r brazilian or an "just an argie" but what I`m sure that you inform better that our media, I wanted to congratulate u. "Ole", the most important sport newspaper is terrorific... you have to read the comments to know what it's going on really...

Moreover, did u notice that last test match was at the same time that ARG-BRA?! Ridiculous... we have to support the sport in all aspects... thanks for represent us in the forum

Gracias. I find most of the important websites to be severely lacking in news on Argentine rugby. There are great Argentine sites like rugbyfun, rugbytime and scrum but the ones in English are either focused on Europe or the 3N. The Argentine general sports sites like Ole as you say are not good either. One of the best sources for Argentine rugby is actually rugbyrama which is French!

I´m not Brazilian but have been here for quite some time. I´ve been following Los Pumas forever and Argentina has been my team of choice since highschool. The choice of the game time for Arg vs Ita was a mistake. I can only assume the UAR did it before the time was scheduled for the soccer match.

 

[psychic duck]

I don't know why the Pumas couldn't have drafted in a few players from their 24 man list

it would have been good to try Agulla at 13, and Maximiliano Bustos has been sitting on the bench behind Giorgi Jgenti for much of Montpellier's recent matches and Juan Figallo hasn't played a full season so surely they could have been added as well

I don't know why Guiñazu is still there

on another note, great to see Lisandro Gómez Lopez has signed for Stade, hopefully he can get some good game time next season, surprised he wasn't in this Argentine squad to be honest considering the Pumas shortage of centres who aren't converted fly halves

also great to see the Pumitas success, I saw their matches against France and Australia and their scrum and maul looked immense, a few of that pack will be in the Pampas XV side next year I would imagine

 

[Melhor Time]

France leading 14-10 at the moment. Picamoles just scored. Nice kick from Trinh-Duc.

I´ve got to say I am impressed with the crowd at Córdoba. Will be a great venue for future TRC matches. They are really loud and its a big one, thoguh not full.

Posting Links To Streams Are Not Tolerated On This Site.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Anyone know why some of the Argentinian backs have shaved heads?

Just turned it on and was wondering why Contepomi was at 10 not 12, until I realised it was a hairless Mieres :lol:

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Parra semmed upset because the crowd was making noise when he kicked... but he didnt' realise they were just as noisy for Contepomi's kicks! Theyr'e just noisy!

 

[Melhor Time]

Anyone know why some of the Argentinian backs have shaved heads?

Just turned it on and was wondering why Contepomi was at 10 not 12, until I realised it was a hairless Mieres :lol:

Yes.. It is a Pumas tradition.

Upon making the test aside against Tier One opposition players shave their heads. Hence Landajo (9), Mieres (10), Agulla (14), Montero (11) and Tuculet (13) today.

Halftime now... 14-13 to Les Bleus.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fair enough!

Great turn out, as you mentioned, and atmosphere looks great too.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Parra slots the kick to make it 17-13 to France.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Guiñazú is making the lineout throws despite playing prop. They should give Postiglione a chance to prove himself at test level.
France scrum looking goooood

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This must be such an awkward match to referee with only a handful of the players speaking English.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Yellow for Leonardi.

France destroying the Argentina scrum.

Parra kicks the pen, 20-13 France.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Yellow for Leonardi.

Yeah, for one of those penalties that you're supposed to stop doing once you reach puberty.

Edit: Michalak on!

 

[ZeFrenchy]

****. De la Vega good game for Arg.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

****. De la Vega good game for Arg.

I concur.