France-Argentina: the favorites and the scratches of our special envoys

Favorites

A public at the rendezvous for his comeback

The last match of the XV of France with the public? France-Italy, February 9, 2020. Twenty-one months later, the supporters were back (just under 55,000) and they made up for lost time. It started with a Marseillaise - a cappella when the music was stopped, in the manner of Flowers of Scotland - vibrant, shivering. A fervor that lasted throughout the meeting. Incessant encouragement, lined with whistles against the Argentines, demonstrations of discontent during the long arbitration procrastination ("

" chanted the people of Lyon to try to avoid, in vain, the cancellation of Dupont's superb essay) , contagious jubilation during the French trials… "

, says winger Gabin Villière.

»A feeling confirmed by his captain, Antoine Dupont. “

"

Mauvaka's two entries

The substitute hooker made two appearances.

The first, from the 29th to the 39th minute to overcome the yellow card of Julien Marchand.

The second, from the 63rd minute, to permanently replace his Toulouse teammate.

Each time, Peato Mauvaka brought his power, his punch.

A power that allowed him to change the meeting.

Jalibert, tackled, manages to pass acrobatically to number 16 who, launched, resists Argentinian attempts to stop him to register, in the 69th minute, the test which brings the XV of France from 19-13 to 26-13.

Fabien Galthié wanted decisive finishers.

Contract fully fulfilled by Mauvaka.

Read alsoThe notes of the Blues after France-Argentina: Flament amazes, Jaminet confirms

Boffelli's revenge

He was surely the most prominent Puma at the Stade de France. The Argentine rear Emiliano Boffelli (26) has indeed scored two penalties and two transformations against the Blues for his 36th selection. He was even decisive on his team's second try, beating Melvyn Jaminet in the air and deflecting the ball for his winger Mateo Carrerras (78th). A full match. And a nice revenge - despite the defeat - against the French for the one who had a failed experience at Racing 92. Recruited last winter by the Hauts-de-Seine club, Boffelli has never managed to find a place for himself in the workforce of Ciel et Blanc. Four small matches, only two starts and a meager try. The Argentinian has never been able to win, in the eyes of the Ile-de-France staff, against theAustralian Kurtley Beale and Irishman Simon Zebo, since returned to Munster. Saturday in Saint-Denis, the Argentinian number 15 showed himself in his best light. That of one of the most talented Pumas of his generation. After his ghostly passage in the Top 14, he will now try to revive in Edinburgh in the United Rugby Championship, ex-Pro 14, ex-Celtic League. In the Challenge Cup, the Scottish province will cross the road to Brive and Pau this season. With Boffelli?In the Challenge Cup, the Scottish province will cross the road to Brive and Pau this season. With Boffelli?In the Challenge Cup, the Scottish province will cross the road to Brive and Pau this season. With Boffelli?

Scratches

Jalibert-Ntamack, failed bet

On paper, the association of the two best 10 French was promising.

We could already imagine the two young men, with their right torsos, slashing the Argentinian defense.

A dream that did not come true.

Jalibert and Ntamack are never found;

They even seemed a little lost, between an over-playing Bordeaux and a Toulouse in the background.

An experience that was cut short as the lack of power in the midfield became glaring.

Before the hour of play, Fabien Galthié understood that the bet was lost.

He then released Romain Ntamack to bring in the solid Jonathan Danty and provide the XV of France with an anchor in the heart of the battle.

Not sure that this reckless association will be attempted again soon ...

The provoc ', that old string of Pumas

For a long time, at the beginning of the 2000s, Argentines had elevated to the rank of art the fact of

" the French. Provocations, small gestures, scuffles which had reached their climax during the 2007 World Cup in France, where the Pumas had beaten the Blues at the opening of the competition at the Stade de France and then for the small final at the Parc des Princes. The generation led by Agustin Pichot knew how to get into the minds of the French and derail them. This Saturday, Mario Ledesma's players tried again to get the young French generation out of their match. Small fights that we hardly see any more at the international level, either after a rough tackle or a won scrum. The spirits were heated in the first half in Saint-Denis. “

, assures Anthony Jelonch.

“But the band to Fabien Galthié did not finally fall into the trap, did not lose its nerves and the thread of its match.

Even after the yellow cards inflicted on Julien Marchand and Marcos Kremer.

Proof that things have changed for the Blues.

And that the old strings of the Argentines no longer work… This time.

Read alsoThe XV of France gets out of the Argentine trap

Lucu and Dupont-dependence

At 28, scrum-half Maxime Lucu could have honored his first international cap on Saturday on the lawn of the Stade de France.

In the end, the Union Bordeaux-Bègles player remained in the stands, his time never came.

Antoine Dupont played the 80 minutes of the match against the Pumas.

Normal, he is now the captain of the Blues, can we move on.

Except it's not new.

During the last Six Nations Tournament, Toulonnais Baptiste Serin had to settle for (very small) crumbs in the shadow of Toulouse number 9.

Confirming, once again, the Dupont-dependence of the Blues.

When Dupont is there, there is no room for the others.

It's hard to do without the one who is considered by some to be the best player in the world.

And even more complicated to live in its shadow.