At the Stade de France
The hoped-for recital, promised in a way, with the Jalibert-Ntamack association, made a splash. Not enough automation between the two best 10 French. And a very aggressive defense of the Argentines who managed, as too often, to lose their nerves, and therefore the thread, to the Blues. The Blues very nervous for a few first scuffles. The huge blunder of Matthieu Jalibert, under pressure since the start of the match, has finished igniting the powder. The UBB playing master hits his return kick too close to his 22 line. Pablo Matera blocks him, spins towards the in-goal and, despite the desperate returns of the blue defenders, allows his half to melee, Tomas Cubelli, to flatten at the foot of the French posts. We have been playing for 22 minutes and the Pumas take the advantage, 7-6.
The following minutes are even more tense.
The spat are increasing.
After having already warned the two captains, the New Zealand referee decides, legitimately, to crack down.
Julien Marchand and Marcus Kremer are asked to go and calm down for ten minutes.
The time for Melvyn Jaminet to register a third penalty, to miss the fourth and half-time is whistled on a short advantage, 9 to 7, for Antoine Dupont's men.
Tricolor stubbornness rewarded
The passage to the locker room calmed overheated spirits. And if the Argentinian rear Emiliano Boffelli gives the advantage to his team from the 47th minute (9-10), the French reaction is instantaneous. The playing times are linked in the 22 meters of the Pumas until a pass from Jalibert for his second-row Thibaud Flament. The Toulousain, who honors his first selection, wins everything to finish his charge in the in-goal (49th). 16-10 for the Blues who finally launched a great cavalcade. Gabin Villière escapes on his wing in a furious race, gives back to Gaël Fickou who had launched it. And the inevitable Antoine Dupont emerges for a 70-meter test! Canceled by the referee for a slight forward from Jaminet on his reception of the candle at the start of the action ...
A moment of spite taken advantage of by the ex-rear of Racing to once again bring the Pumas within reach (16-13, 60th). The French players continue their forcing, camp in the opposing camp, get opportunities. Which do not succeed because of annoying hand mistakes. It is finally the Catalan striker who gives, once again, a little air to his team (19-13, 63rd). The Blues have the merit of not brooding over their small mistakes to keep pushing. And are soon rewarded for their stubbornness. Matthieu Jalibert navigates in the defense, is tackled but manages, on the ground, to serve acrobatically Peato Mauvaka. The substitute hooker, launched, finishes his race in the Argentine in-goal. The transformation of Jaminet finally gives a good mattress to the Blues (69th, 26-13). That they preserve.Cornered on their goal line, Fickou and his partners tackle with all their might, push the attacker back to finally recover the ball.
One last twist of fate makes you fear the worst.
Fighting for an aerial ball, Boffelli takes advantage of a rebound on Jaminet's face to serve his winger, Mateo Carreras.
A cap test which, in the 76th minute, gives hope to the Argentines (26-20).
But the Blues, still as strong in defense (only 6 missed tackles, against 36 by their opponents), snatch a final penalty.
Converted by an almost impeccable Jaminet (7 out of 8, 19 points) for a sluggish but precious victory, 29 to 20.