PARIS, 20 November 2004 — Six Nations champions France have a national record of nine games without defeat in their sights when they host Argentina in Marseille today.
Coach Bernard Laporte and his players are riding high after their 27-14 win over Australia which led Wallabies coach Eddie Jones to say they were “pretty close to being the best team in the world”.
They also know, however, that they are going to face a true test against a Pumas team who have always been one of their most awkward opponents. “We lost our last three games against Argentina in Buenos Aires, enough is enough,” said coach Bernard Laporte.
“This time we are playing at home and a win over Argentina is of paramount importance because we want to prove to the world that we don’t play yo-yo any more and have found continuity in results.”
At the end of the 2001-2 season France traveled to Buenos Aires after winning seven games in a row. They lost by one point and Laporte was furious afterward in the dressing room at the Velez Sarsfield stadium.
Argentina also defeated France 10-6 and 33-32 in June 2003, the Pumas’ first series victory over the French, during their preparation for the World Cup in Australia.
Even the Pumas, however, can not believe that history will repeat itself.
“The French are not concerned that they’ve gone three matches without beating us. They know those matches were played in Buenos Aires and that things will be different”, said scrumhalf and captain Agustin Pichot.
“France have just played very well against Australia and they’re going to be very difficult opponents. We have to defend very well, keep control of the ball and attack them.”
Pichot plays club rugby with Stade Francais and will be among the 11 France-based Pumas in the Argentine team at the Stade Velodrome.
So will Pau lock Patricio Albacete who played in the first test of the June 2003 series.
“To play against France is already like a classic, both teams know each other well and also, most of us are playing in French rugby,” he said. Argentina have made a last-minute change to their bench with Eusebio Guinazu replacing prop Daniel Rodriguez, who suffered a recurrence of a calf injury during training.
England International Vickery Out for Six Weeks
In London, England prop Phil Vickery has suffered a fracture around the eye area and will be out of action for six weeks, it was revealed yesterday.
The 28-year-old Gloucester player will require surgery, following the knock to the head in last Friday’s Premiership match at home to Wasps, and is not expected to return to the first team before the New Year.
Vickery was on his way back to fitness after back surgery six months ago.
The tight-head prop appeared twice for Gloucester as a replacement, against Harlequins and Worcester in October, before starting the last four games.
