The sleet took over the captains run at the Stade de France. Around noon, while the Pumas They were preparing to carry out their last training session of 2024, the snow violently burst onto the scene. Later, during the shift The Bluesthe ground was already dyed white, and Antoine Dupontthe big local star, sheltered between his balaclava and his hat to protect himself from the snow. The cold of the Parisian autumn will receive the warmth of a new Latin classic. France y Argentina They will close their calendar year starting at 5:10 p.m., in the majestic and renovated Stade de France, the same stage in which the Pumas concluded their 2023, in the loss to England for third place in the World Cup.
Snow invaded the French capital and, according to the meteorological service, it will continue in the early hours of Friday to give way to light rain until midday. For the night, at the time of the meeting, between 2 and 3 degrees are predicted in a stadium that is expected to be full, bustling, and in which the Argentines will have to deal with a hostile public, which during the Olympic Games was responsible for marking the rivalry with Argentina, and a team that will seek to close an irregular year in the best possible way. , with swings.
In a confrontation with Latin blood, the match in Saint-Denis will be marked by whoever manages to strike first to start winning the mental battle. The beginning of the matches has been a deficit in Felipe Contepomi's cycle and against a temperamental team like the French, it will be vital to hit first to set the pace of the match. With the weather difficult, foot play will be a fundamental tool to gain ground and put pressure on the opponent.
In that sense, the local has an advantage; Antoine Dupont absorbs pressure with a surgical foot, both left and right. He has no problem with profiles and with a glance he scans the court to find the best option. You will be accompanied by the unpredictable Thomas Ramoswho will stop as an opening due to the injury of Romain Ntamack and the absence of Mathieu Jalibert, disaffected due to internal conduct. The 29-year-old player is one of the most effective kickers in world rugby and has just contributed 15 points in the victory over the All Blacks.
In contrast, foot play is one of the facets in which the Pumas fail to be consistent. Against Ireland they suffered the departure of their own field and the entry of Gonzalo García into the starting team is largely due to his impact in the boxes, more precise than those of Gonzalo Bertranou, erratic for much of 2024. The Tucuman also speeds up the game and is best complemented by Albornoz, with a left-handed profile. He will have a test by fire in his second test as a starter for the Pumas, against the best scrum-half in the world.
The Argentine national team has not won in Saint-Denis since 2014a match that marked a break in Daniel Hourcade's cycle. A clash where the mettle of a team that stood out for daring to play, but that day put on overalls to carry out a match with brawls, clashes and heroic defense until the end, emerged. These Pumas have more tools, a larger squad and players who, unlike the Jaguares period, got used to facing the French. Ten of those who will take the field perform in the Top 14.
“This Argentina is a team that is not afraidwith great players. Their local competition is amateur, but they are constantly adapting to the global rugby ecosystem. The best go to play in France and Europe, others are still in the country, they have developed their sevens team that has had two incredible seasons. They are very intelligent and a very, very difficult team to play against. “It is one of the best in the world,” he said. Fabien Galthiéhead coach of France and former collaborator of the Pumas in the Santiago Phelan cycle.
The scrum will be another facet that will mark the pulse of the battle. The return of Uini Atonio, with his experience and his 145 kg will enhance this fixed formation. He will be supported behind by the giant Emmanuel Meafou, of the same weight. Jean-Baptiste Gros has just been one of the figures against the All Blacks, while two heavy pillars are waiting on the bench: Reda Wardi and Georges-Henri Colombe, who dominated Thomas Gallo in the first duel of the year, in Mendoza. Behind the Springboks is the most physically demanding pack of forwards and the Pumas will have to stand in contact to avoid retreating.
With the returns of Marcos Kremer and Mateo Carreras, Argentina will present a reserve bank with greater impact, capable of energizing a team that will seek to close 2024 on the rise and break a 10-year streak without returning from Europe with a positive balance of victories. The last time they achieved it was in Saint-Denis, between hugs of euphoria and celebrations. In the cold Parisian night they will seek to repeat history.
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