Latin Quarter

Argentina, France the friendly rivals

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Posted: Friday October 22, 1999 07:33 PM

Many opponents consider Argentine scrumhalf Agustin Pinchot to be one of the game's best number nines. AP

DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) -- The French more than any other nation have helped Argentina's rugby to where it is today, a big brother act which could come back to haunt them in Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.

Dublin's Lansdowne Road will be turned into the tournament's Latin quarter as France and Argentina continue their friendly rivalry with a place in the semis at stake.

While most of the major rugby nations are usually grudgingly cajoled into playing the South Americans, France has taken a different view to Argentine rugby. They have met an amazing 34 times with France winning 29-4 with one draw.

In contrast Wales' group match against Argentina was just the fifth ever test between those two countries.

And Argentina's victory over Ireland in the playoff was just their third meeting.

"Clearly we wanted to go to Dublin to play Argentina rather than Ireland because it is a match on a neutral ground," said French assistant coach Max Godemet.

"But there was also joy because they are Latins. There will be a quarterfinal that is 100 percent Latin and that is good for rugby."

Argentina's matchwinning goalkicker Gonzalo Quesada admits there is a special bond between the teams.

"Historically we have a great relationship with France," Quesada said. "They like our country and of course we like theirs. We know each other quite a lot and the statistics are against us.

"But we have the weapons to play against them and they have the pressure."

Argentina relies heavily on flyhalf Quesada, who has scored 66 of the team's 83 points. But the team is no one man band.

Scrumhalf Agustin Pichot has impressed with his service and Ireland captain Dion O'Cuinneagain said he rates him alongside South Africa's Joost van der Westhuizen and Australia's George Gregan as one of the top three No.9s in world rugby.

The Pumas pack dominated Ireland, missing chief enforcer Peter Clohessy, and flanker Rolando Martin and hooker Mario Ledesma were outstanding.

Roberto Grau returns from suspension, after being caught fighting Wales' Colin Charvis in the first match of the tournament, and replaces injured Omar Hasan in the only change from the Ireland match.

France has made four changes for the game with two forced on it by suspensions to forwards Christian Califano and Fabien Pelous.

Califano, banned for the rest of the tournament after a headbutt on Fiji rival Joeli Veitayaki in their decisive group match, is replaced by Cedric Soulette in a move which may weaken the French scrum.

Pelous, who will miss just one game for stamping in the Fiji match, is replaced by Olivier Brouzet at lock.

Fullback Ugo Mola has been dropped after a disappointing tournament so far, with Toulouse winger Xavier Garbajosa taking over at No.15, while experienced scrumhalf Fabien Galthie comes in for Stephane Castaigne.

A semifinal appearance, against the winner of the Scotland vs. New Zealand quarterfinal, would be a remarkable result for a French side which has had one of the worst seasons in its history.

But France is wary of the spirit their Latin friends have shown to get this far.

"The Argentine game that we knew before has changed little," said French coach Jean-Claude Skrela. "What is really different is that they are more confident in this World Cup. They beat Samoa and Japan and really troubled Wales. We have to concentrate and especially not think of the semifinals."

France has the advantage of eight days rest between their final group game and the quarterfinal, while Argentina will be facing its third match in eight days.

French captain Raphael Ibanez discounts that as a major issue.

"Rugby rewards the brave and I really admire the attitude of the Argentines," Ibanez said. "It's true that they don't have enough time to recuperate but with their current spirit they probably feel invincible."

France

Argentina

 

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