France 10 Argentina 34
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PARIS - Bogey team Argentina blitzed hosts France for the second time in this World Cup to claim third place at the Parc des Princes today with a 34-10 victory.
This match, Argentina's sixth win over the hosts in seven encounters, was a far cry from the close battle on the tournament's opening day when the Pumas triumphed narrowly 17-12.
Here they opened up and scorched over the tryline five times in a scintillating display of attacking rugby that will have made the world sit up and take notice.
Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda, who will take over at English Premiership side Leicester Tigers after the World Cup, said: "I'm very happy, this gives me a lot of joy.
"We couldn't be first or second and it was a very difficult week (after losing the semifinal) but eventually the players got their heads around it and today we played a great match."
France coach Bernard Laporte, who took charge of his last game before taking up a post in the government as a junior sports minister, was gracious in defeat.
"The best team won. They've beaten us twice, so it's fair to say they're better than us," he said.
"Well done to them. It was a good game, we lacked efficiency at the beginning. It's a shame because we had the game in our hands but were then hit on the counter attack.
"We tried to come back but it was too late. The best team won."
Having been drawn into a war of attrition against England in the semifinal, France reverted to their normal selves, throwing the ball around and running at the Pumas defence.
Three times in the opening half the hosts made seering breaks deep into Argentine territory only to be denied by a combination of staunch defence and loose passing.
Argentina were true to themselves in the early stages, playing territorial and possession rugby but the festive occasion seemingly got to them as at one point they started running the ball from their own 22.
Despite France's enterprise, it was Argentina who first opened up their opponents' defence. Following a pair of penalties bringing the score to 3-3, the Pumas moved the ball from right to left, stretching the French defence and allowing centre Felipe Contepomi to dive over in the corner after 28 minutes.
Three minutes later and Argeninta had scored a second try as prop Omar Hassan burrowed over the line under the posts. Contepomi converted for a 17-3 lead.
France had a chance to reduce the deficit before halftime but despite four minutes of added time being played, Argentina's defence held firm and the half ended with a scrap as French captain Rafael Ibanez and Pumas lock Rimas Alvarez Kairelis were handed yellow cards.
Any home fans hoping for a rousing comeback from Les Bleus after the break quickly had their dreams shot down in flames as the Pumas produced the move of the match.
Aurelien Rougerie chipped forward but having missed his own kick, Pumas full-back Ignacio Corleto scooped up the ball deep inside his own territory on the left.
He broke past three tackles and started a move that swept up and across the pitch, culminating with a try from Horacio Agulla in the right corner.
France thought they might find a way back into the match after Pumas substitute Juan Manuel Leguizamon was yellow carded for a high and late tackle on France sub and mascot Sebastien Chabal, but instead it was Argentina who scored again, breaking from their own 22 with Corleto touching down in the left corner.
France finally got the try their play deserved in the final 10 minutes with Clement Poitrenaud crossing for a consolation score only for Contepomi to add Argentina's fifth try late on.
- AFP
