Stade Français surprise Pumas in rugby upset

Stade Français scrumhalf Julian Dupuy fires off a pass during the win over the Pumas. Image: Rugby365

CAFÉ PACIFIC departs from its usual socio-political media fare for another rugby interlude. This time to mark the shock victory by the French club side Stade Français over the national Argentinian rugby side Pumas preparing for the new-look four nations Rugby Championship against the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies. As nothing has appeared on the English language wires on the weekend game in Buenos Aires – but hundreds of items in French and Spanish - here is a translated brief update from the Rugby365.fr website:

What a victory! To prepare for the forthcoming Four Nations championship, Argentina chose Stade Français as its sparring partner. And favourites Argentina have been trumped! In front of about 25,000 people in a magnificent atmosphere at the Vélèz Sarsfield Stadium, the Parisian club won 25-21. The result reflected a strong comeback by Stade Français in the last quarter of the game. “It’s an incredible victory,” Stade Français captain Sergio Parisse told ESPN. “We knew that these two matches against the Pumas were going to be difficult, but we have seen a great rugby match in this first game.”

The Pumas led 16-12 at halftime and scored two tries to one. The game marked the return of Juan Martin Hernandez as the Pumas flyhalf, who kicked three penalties and converted a try by Horacio Agulla in the first half. Stade scrumhalf Julian Dupuy, who played in a French victory over the All Blacks in Dunedin in 2009, replied with four penalties. Juan Imhoff added another try for the Pumas in the second half. But a converted Stade try by Laurent Sempere signalled a brilliant fightback 10 minutes from the end of the game. Two penalties by Jérémy Sinzelle sealed the win. Veteran Pumas pivot Felipe Contepomi played at flyhalf for Stade Francais.

The Pumas play Stade Français again next weekend before playing South Africa at Newlands in Capetown on August 18. Stade finished seventh in the French Top 14 last season. In June, France beat the Pumas 49-10 in the second test in Les Bleus' first victory in Argentina for more than a decade.

POSTSCRIPT: The Pumas followed up with a 31-17 (14-7) victory over Stade Français the following weekend and now face the Springboks in their first championship match at Newlands next Saturday.

• Le Stade Français remporte une victoire de prestige face à l'Argentine
• Argentina cierra su preparación para el 'Rugby Championship' con una victoria