History of rugby union matches between Argentina and France

Last updated

France's national rugby union team first played Argentina in 1949 when they undertook a two-test tour of the latter country. France won both matches. [1] Argentina did not manage a win over France until their 16th meeting in 1985, under the captaincy of Hugo Porta. [1]

Contents

France has been Argentina's most frequent Test match opponent. France played a significant role in the early development of Argentine rugby in which the two countries played each other 13 times between 1949 and 1977. In total, the two countries have met fifty-six times, with France having won in forty encounters to Argentina's fifteen.

The teams have played each other four times at Rugby World Cup tournaments: In 1999 France won a quarter-final, and in 2007 Argentina beat France 17–12 in the tournament-opening pool game and again 34–10 in the playoff for third and fourth place after Argentina had lost to tournament winners South Africa in the semi-final. Even though Argentina had shown strong form in the year leading up to the tournament (winning 10 of 13 Test matches plus a one-point loss to France), the opening-game win was regarded as an upset by the media. [2] [3] They then played each other during the 2019, with this time France winning 23-21.

Though about two-thirds of the games have been played on Argentina's ground, France has won more than two-thirds of them. France won the only two matches the two have played on neutral ground.

The biggest difference in points was achieved by France during the second game of their 2012 tour to Argentina, winning 49–10.

Since 2000, the series has been especially closely fought, though Argentina has had the upper hand. In the 19 matches played in that time frame, the Pumas are 10–9, but nine of the matches were decided by a converted try (7 points) or less.

When the IRB introduced their world team rankings system in 2003, Argentina was ranked seventh and France fifth. [4] Since then the ranking changed frequently and the two teams' order was reversed many times like in March 2009, when Argentina climbed to fourth place and France fell to seventh. [5] Most recently, following Argentina's win in the first of their two-Test series in June 2012, the two teams switched places in the rankings with the Pumas in sixth and France in seventh but after their second game a week later, which saw France won by 39 points, France climbed back to the 5th place and Argentina drop to eighth. Since then, France has reached first place in the world in July 2022.

Summary

Overview

DetailsPlayedWon by
Argentina
Won by
France
DrawnArgentina pointsFrance points
In Argentina3410231511833
In France205150349472
Neutral venue20204968
Overall56154019091,373

Records

Note: Date shown in brackets indicates when the record was or last set.

RecordArgentinaFrance
Longest winning streak4 (15 June 2002 – 25 November 2006)12 (28 August 1949 – 2 July 1977)
Largest points for
Home41 (26 June 2010)39 (17 November 2012)
Away34 (19 October 2007)49 (23 June 2012)
Largest winning margin
Home28 (26 June 2010)23 (19 October 1975)
Away24 (19 October 2007)39 (23 June 2012)

Results

No.DateVenueScoreWinnerCompetition
128 August 1949 Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires 0–5Flag of France.svg  France 1949 France tour of Argentina
24 September 1949Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires3–12Flag of France.svg  France
329 August 1954Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires8–22Flag of France.svg  France 1954 France tour of Argentina and Chile
412 September 1954Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires3–30Flag of France.svg  France
523 July 1960Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires3–37Flag of France.svg  France 1960 France tour of Argentina and Uruguay
66 August 1960Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires3–12Flag of France.svg  France
717 August 1960Estadio GEBA, Buenos Aires6–29Flag of France.svg  France
820 June 1974 Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires15–20Flag of France.svg  France 1974 France tour of Brazil and Argentina
929 June 1974Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires27–31Flag of France.svg  France
1019 October 1975 Stade de Gerland, Lyon 29–6Flag of France.svg  France 1975 Argentina tour of France
1125 October 1975 Parc des Princes, Paris 36–21Flag of France.svg  France
1225 June 1977Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires3–26Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1977 France tour of Argentina
132 July 1977Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires18–18draw
1414 November 1982 Stadium Municipal, Toulouse 25–12Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1982 Argentina tour of France and Spain
1520 November 1982Parc des Princes, Paris13–6Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
1622 June 1985Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires24–16Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1985 France tour of South America
1729 June 1985Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires15–23Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
1831 May 1986 Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires15–13Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1986 France tour of Argentina and Oceania
197 June 1986Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires9–22Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
2018 June 1988Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires15–18Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1988 France tour of South America
2125 June 1988Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires18–6Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
225 November 1988 Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes 29–9Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1988 Argentina tour of France
2311 November 1988 Stadium Lille-Metropole, Lille 28–18Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
244 July 1992Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires12–27Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1992 France tour of Argentina
2511 July 1992Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires9–33Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
2614 November 1992Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes20–24Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1992 Argentina tour of Europe
2721 October 1995Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires12–47Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1995 Latin Cup  [ es; fr; it ]
2822 June 1996Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires27–34Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1996 France tour of Argentina
2929 June 1996Estadio Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires15–34Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
3026 October 1997 Stade Maurice Trélut, Tarbes 32–27Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1997 Latin Cup  [ es; fr; it ]
3113 June 1998Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires18–35Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1998 France tour of Argentina and Fiji
3220 June 1998Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires12–37Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
3314 November 1998Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes34–14Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1998 Argentina tour of Japan and Europe
3424 October 1999 Lansdowne Road, Dublin (Ireland)26–47Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 1999 Rugby World Cup
3515 June 2002Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires28–27Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2002 France tour of Argentina and Australia
3614 June 2003Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires10–6Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2003 France tour of Argentina and New Zealand
3720 June 2003Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires33–32Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
3820 November 2004 Stade Vélodrome, Marseille 14–24Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2004 Autumn International
3925 November 2006 Stade de France, Saint-Denis 27–26Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 2006 Autumn International
407 September 2007Stade de France, Saint-Denis12–17Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2007 Rugby World Cup (PS)
4119 October 2007Parc des Princes, Paris10–34Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2007 Rugby World Cup (3rd)
428 November 2008Stade Vélodrome, Marseille12–6Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 2008 Autumn International
4326 June 2010José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires41–13Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2010 Summer International
4420 November 2010 Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier 15–9Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 2010 Autumn International
4516 June 2012 Estadio Mario Kempes, Córdoba 23–20Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2012 France tour of Argentina
4623 June 2012 Estadio Monumental José Fierro, Tucumán 10–49Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
4717 November 2012 Grand Stade Lille Métropole, Lille39–22Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 2012 Autumn International
4822 November 2014Stade de France, Saint-Denis13–18Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2014 Autumn International
4919 June 2016Estadio Monumental José Fierro, Tucumán30–19Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2016 France tour of Argentina
5025 June 2016Estadio Monumental José Fierro, Tucumán0–27Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
5117 November 2018Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille28–13Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 2018 Autumn International
5221 September 2019 Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu (Japan)23–21Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France 2019 Rugby World Cup
535 November 2021Stade de France, Saint-Denis29–20Flag of France.svg  France 2021 Autumn International
546 July 2024 Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza 13–28Flag of France.svg  France 2024 France tour of Argentina
5513 July 2024Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires33–25Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
5622 November 2024Stade de France, Saint-Denis37–23Flag of France.svg  France 2024 Autumn International

List of series

PlayedWon by
Argentina
Won by
France
Drawn
181116
YearArgentinaFranceSeries winner
Flag of Argentina.svg 1949 02Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 1954 02Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 1960 03Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 1974 02Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of France.svg 1975 02Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 1977 01Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France [a]
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 1982 02Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 1985 11 draw
Flag of Argentina.svg 1986 11 draw
Flag of Argentina.svg 1988 11 draw
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 1988 02Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 1992 02Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 1996 02Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 2002 01Flag of France (lighter variant).svg  France
Flag of Argentina.svg 2003 20Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina
Flag of Argentina.svg 2012 11 draw
Flag of Argentina.svg 2016 11 draw
Flag of Argentina.svg 2024 11 draw

Notes

  1. France won the series 1–0, the second test resulting in a draw.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rugby Championship</span> International rugby union competition

The Rugby Championship, formerly known as the Tri Nations Series (1996–2011), is an international rugby union competition contested annually by Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. These are traditionally the four highest ranked national teams in the Southern Hemisphere; the Six Nations is a similar tournament in the Northern Hemisphere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia national rugby union team</span>

The Australia men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Wallabies, is the representative men's national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of Australia. The team first played at Sydney in 1899, winning their first test match against the touring British Isles team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina national rugby union team</span> National sports team

The Argentina national rugby union team represents Argentina in men's international competitions, The Argentine Rugby Union. Officially nicknamed Los Pumas, they play in sky blue and white jerseys. They are ranked 5th in the world by World Rugby, making them by some distance the highest-ranked nation in the Americas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hugo Porta</span> Argentine rugby player

Hugo Porta is an Argentine retired rugby union player. Considered one of the best fly-halves the sport has seen, he is an inductee of both the International Rugby Hall of Fame and IRB Hall of Fame. During the 1970s and 1980s, he played 58 times for Argentina, captaining them on 34 occasions, including leading them during the first World Cup in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States men's national rugby union team</span> Mens rugby union team

The United States men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States of America Rugby Football Union in men's international rugby union. USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in the United States, and is a member of Rugby Americas North, one of six regional governing bodies under World Rugby. Until rugby returned to Olympic competition, with sevens at the 2016 Rio Games, the United States was the reigning Olympic rugby champion, having won gold at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agustín Pichot</span> Argentine rugby player

Agustín Pichot is an Argentine retired rugby union player, formerly captain of the Argentine team and the English club Bristol. In addition to Bristol, he played for French sides Stade Français and Racing Métro after leaving Argentine team CASI from San Isidro in 1997. In 2011, he was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame. He was Vice-Chairman of World Rugby between 2016 and 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felipe Contepomi</span> Argentine rugby coach

Felipe Contepomi is an Argentine professional rugby coach who is currently the head coach of the Argentine national side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Habana</span> Rugby player

Bryan Gary Habana OIS is a South African former professional rugby union player. Playing mainly as a wing, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He played for the Golden Lions, the Blue Bulls and Western Province in South Africa, for the Bulls and the Stormers in Super Rugby, and for Toulon in the French Top 14, and won 124 caps for the South Africa national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uruguay national rugby union team</span> Rugby union team

The Uruguay national rugby union team, nicknamed Los Teros, represents the Uruguayan Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. One of the older test sides in the world, Uruguay has qualified five times for the Rugby World Cup, in 1999, 2003, 2015, 2019 and most recently 2023. As of 10 July 2023 they are ranked 17th in the world, and are ranked 2nd in the Americas region, behind rivals Argentina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spain national rugby union team</span> Mens rugby union team representing Spain

The Spain national rugby union team, nicknamed Los Leones, represents the Spanish Rugby Federation in men's international rugby union competitions. The team annually takes part in the European Nations Cup, the highest European rugby championship outside the Six Nations. The national side is ranked 17th in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portugal national rugby union team</span> National rugby union team

The Portugal national rugby union team, nicknamed Os Lobos, represents Portugal in men's international rugby union competitions. The team, as well as all rugby union in Portugal, is administered by the Portuguese Rugby Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Cheika</span> Australian rugby coach and former player

Michael Cheika is an Australian professional dual-code rugby coach and former player who is head coach of Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby union in Argentina</span>

Rugby union in Argentina is a hugely popular team sport. The first rugby match played in the country dates back to 1873, as the game was introduced by the British. The Argentina national team, sometimes referred to as the Pumas, have competed at the Rugby World Cup, and are considered a tier one nation by the sport's governing body, World Rugby.

The French national rugby union team first competed at the 1900 Summer Olympics.

Pool D of the 2007 Rugby World Cup began on 7 September and concluded on 30 September. The pool was composed of World Cup hosts France, Argentina, Georgia, Ireland and Namibia.

The 2008 end of year rugby tests, also known as the Autumn internationals saw Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, the Pacific Islanders and Canada tour the northern hemisphere. The tour ended with the traditional 'final challenge' Barbarians match, against Australia, which was the first rugby union Test at the new Wembley Stadium. New Zealand and Australia also contested a Bledisloe Cup match outside of either country for the first time; the match was played in Hong Kong with the hope of raising rugby's profile in China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina at the Rugby World Cup</span>

Argentina have competed in all the Rugby World Cup tournaments, starting with the inaugural 1987 tournament.

In June 2012, France toured Argentina to play two Tests against the Pumas. The French tour was one in a series of tours by northern teams to be hosted by southern hemisphere nations.

Milton Haig is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player. He was the head coach of the Georgian national team that annually competes the European Nations Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Argentina national rugby union team</span>

The History of the Argentina national rugby union team starts with the first international played by an Argentine side against the British Isles in 1910 when they toured on South America. Argentina gained recognition in 1965, when the team toured South Africa playing a series of friendly matches there. In that tour the national team was nicknamed Los Pumas, a name that became an identity mark for Argentina, remaining to present days.

References

  1. 1 2 Pick and go Rugby Test match database - select Los Pumas vs Les Bleus
  2. "Argentina upset France up front". IRB. 2007-09-08. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
  3. "Argentine upset of France kicks off rugby World Cup". 2007-09-08. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
  4. 2003 IRB rankings table Archived 2010-11-05 at the Wayback Machine
  5. "IRB rankings table for 3 March 2009". Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2009.