For its last match of the year 2024, the XV of France completed its Autumn Tour with a convincing victory against Argentina this Friday at the Stade de France (37-23). Under pressure in the second half, the Blues were able to turn their backs after a first act where they were able to demonstrate pragmatism.
Never two without three for the XV of France. After a festival against Japan (52-12) and a painful victory against New Zealand (30-29), the Blues finished 2024 perfectly by delighting the public at the Stade de France against Argentina (37-23) and thus end on a very good note a year marked by controversies outside the green rectangle.
>> Relive France-Argentina (37-23)
Five decisive minutes
Buoyed by a bright atmosphere – like against the Blacks last week – the Blues expected another fight to end this autumn tour. Because if the Pumas caused Fabien Galthié's men to stumble in July on their land – in a non-sporting context marked by the Jegou-Auradou affair – they especially came within three points of catching Ireland last weekend (22-19).
As against New Zealand, the Tricolores expected to withstand big shocks, especially the first line. And as against the quadruple world champions, France lost a pillar from the first minutes, with the exit due to injury of Jean-Baptiste Gros. At 15 against 14 after Montoya's yellow card, the French XV finally hit the mark on their first offensive. Following a perfect throw-in in the Argentinian 10 meters, Flament unleashed his power to score the first try of the evening (7-0, 9th).
Pragmatic, the Blues made a few mistakes which allowed Tomas Albornoz to adjust the sights against the poles, just like Thomas Ramos (13, 26th), author of a 100% on the foot. Against the Argentinians, the difficulties on the sidelines did not completely disappear either, since the French lost several balls in an interesting position.
In the difficulty of linking the offensive phases, Antoine Dupont's teammates saw their meeting turn around in the space of five minutes. After a long collective action, Gabin Villière headed into the goal to add to the score (20-9, 32nd). In heavy poor weather, the Argentines took on water at the end of the first period, conceding a penalty try following a “volleyball” of the ball from Juan Martin Gonzalez, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey slipped behind the line. The Argentinian third row even watched the rest of the match from the bench after his yellow card (30-9, 40th).
The Bielle-Biarrey TGV
With numerical superiority after returning from the locker room, the Blues had to work defensively to stop the Argentinian attacks. In the wake of Peato Mauvaka still having a good evening, the tricolor pack put up the barbed wire to stop the South American fury. But the Pumas' efforts ultimately paid off. After a perfectly negotiated touch, the pillar Gallo flattened for the first Argentinian try of the evening (30-16, 55th), before Marcos Kremer pierced the blue wall again in the last minutes (37-23, 70th).
Not enough to cool the French and even less so Louis Bielle-Biarrey and his fiery legs. At the origin of the penalty try in the first period, the UBB winger perfectly improved a counter from Charles Ollivon, using his speed to extend his foot pass into the in-goal for him- same (37-16, 59th).
The 56th confrontation will therefore have largely turned to the advantage of the French, who now have 40 victories against their opponent of the day (15 defeats, one draw). Fabien Galthié's men end the year 2024 with eight victories in eleven matches. If the draw against Italy during the Six Nations Tournament (13-13) and the defeats against Ireland and Argentina are a task, there are many reasons for hope for the Blues with a view to 2025 and the VI nations, where three trips are on the menu (England, Italy, Ireland).
Analie Simon Journalist RMC Sport
