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The verdict on Felipe Contepomi after Los Pumas' last tango in Paris
Los Pumas finished a season of discovery with a closing 14-point loss in a packed Stade de France. This massive stadium has become a cauldron with the fans and the razzamatazz set-up by organizers adding pressure to any visiting team.
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Argentina, who this year beat France in Mendoza, the All Blacks in Wellington, Australia in Santa Fe, the Springboks in San Juan and Italy in Udine, plus a big win against Uruguay in Punta del Este, lost the same number of tests – the season opener against France, one against each of the three Rugby Championship opponents, Ireland and the French again in Paris.
Six won, six lost.
Whilst Ireland could have been a win – thus a lost opportunity in what has become an impossible venue for Los Pumas – the loss in Paris was by a smaller margin than what the scoreline suggested.
Was it a fair win by Les Bleus? Yes. Could it have been by fewer points? Yes.
For a second consecutive weekend, two yellow cards were too ‘expensive’ for Los Pumas. Luke Pearce sin-binned captain Julián Montoya four minutes into the game for a crocodile cleanout that put an end to prop Jean Baptiste Gros’ game.
Aggressive in attack, France smelled blood and a converted try should have been a wake-up call for the visiting side. Montoya, one of the world’s best hookers, gave away a penalty on retaking the field and within fourteen minutes, France was up ten nil.
Stats show that Argentina had more possession, but it was the French that were both more creative and more efficient, as two more first-half tries hurt deep. The second of these, a penalty try, had the heavy price of having one of Los Pumas’ best, Juan Martín González off for ten minutes. A sin bin that will be debated in his country for some time to come.
Knowing what the player is made of, it is easy to imagine that his goal was to dislodge the ball from the possible try scorer and regather. The yellow card confirmed officials had seen it differently.
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From 9-13 midway in the first half, going to the break down 30-9, the outcome was looking gloomy, even if the team was working hard and even keeping a certain Antoine Dupont under some sort of control.
Halfbacks Gonzalo García and Tomás Albornoz were doing whatever they could with the possession at hand, but the French were very efficient at slowing the ball at the breakdown, thus reducing the attacking options and forcing kicks that the efficient Thomas Ramos was on fire – twice put his team in attacking positions with 50-22s.
As in many previous tests this year, Los Pumas were better in the second half after under par opening 40 minutes even if at one stage there was a difference of 21 points.
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The bench brought some renewed energy and soon France was under pressure and giving away penalties. Replacement winger Mateo Carreras, a regular starter who missed the previous two tests on paternal leave, was again industrious and took the team to a deep attacking position, which, a few phases later, ended with prop Thomas Gallo burrowing his way.
It was a short-lived comeback as sixty seconds later, ubiquitous winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey restored the difference by scoring a try that Ramos converted.
With more grunt than order, Los Pumas were desperate to continue fighting which is part of the team’s DNA. When it was time to be smart and play with patience, the team accelerated and lost composure and all the French had to do was keep their defensive lines.
When the home side was penalized close to the try-line, Argentina turned the penalty into a scrum and again came within inches of a second try.
The five-pointer would eventually come one minute shy of the half hour and with more will than ideas, whatever scraps of ball came their way, Contepomi’s side attacked. Still fourteen points behind there was some hope.
Again and again, the local defence was well organized and patient. Where they were beaten, they slowed down the ball, and where they could, they pushed the boundaries of the law.
Against the tide of those final exchanges, France crossed for what would have been a great try had it been awarded. A previous knock-on saved Argentina’s face as a 42 or 44-23 score would not have reflected the true nature of the game.
Their own inefficiency meant that after the dismal first half, it was always going to be hard to stage a comeback.
Fourteen points did not reflect what the game was, but the winner was a fair one and a reflection of how the team performed in the final test of the season.
Almost every player will now return to their European clubs whilst Felipe Contepomi and his staff will take a well-deserved break after all the reports have been presented.
They will be able to look back on a season of seminal growth, of players that shone, of some big wins and some big losses. Of players that raised their hands and others that might have played their last game in a Puma jersey.
Overall, as a first season under a new coach, 2024 will be remembered as a good year.
Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now
Excellent year. I have enjoyed the Pumas with every match they played. They are truly one of the top tier nations and with more growth they will push hard for top 3 world ranking. They are just a bit up and down like the French team of old.
Agreed. A very good comparison. On the day they can beat anyone.
You can never be sure which team is pitching up until the whistle blows.
I think Contemponi is a fabulous coach.