We are privileged to be watching in all probability the best France crew of the century, however the remainder of the world was given some assurance that the previous kinks of their psyche, which we thought they’d ironed out, would possibly nonetheless be niggling away beneath the lacquer. This was purported to be a procession. It was not.
No one gave Uruguay an opportunity. The bookies reckoned they have been one thing like 200-1 to win. Well, the rating after 53 minutes learn 13-12 to the hosts – they usually have been fortunate to be forward in any respect. The South Americans tore into their hosts and in lots of respects outplayed them, scoring two tries worthy of probably the most completed sides. It was not till the ultimate 10 minutes that France have been in a position to safe the win with any sort of confidence. This blip within the carnival will rapidly be forgotten when France qualify for the quarters, however let the report state they failed right here even to register a bonus level.
A half-time rating of 13-5 to the hosts instructed its personal story. Except it didn’t actually. Astonishing although it could appear, this assured group of gamers may need had extra – and we don’t imply the assured ones in blue. Uruguay have been stroppy and belligerent, and it seems they will play a bit, too.
France additionally confirmed various good touches, however the upstart Uruguayans, as raucous as the house crowd on this fabulous stadium in Lille, rattled them. France may make little stick. And then they turned the newest aspect to bear trial by lottery.
Romain Taofifénua caught Santiago Arata within the head as he went to affix the deal with Sekou Macalou was already making on the Uruguay scrum-half. Unsurprising, actually, given Taofifénua is 13 inches taller. Clearly an accident, like all the remaining, however any sanction is feasible in these maniacal occasions.
Happily, sense prevailed. France’s lock went to the sin bin whereas the incident was reviewed. Ben Whitehouse, in what’s quickly turning into probably the most unenviable seat in the home, selected to maintain the sanction at yellow.
Just as properly, as a result of France seemed spooked already. They opened the scoring with a Melvyn Jaminet penalty within the fourth minute but it surely was Uruguay who scored the primary attempt two minutes later, when Felipe Etcheverry despatched over a cross-kick to which Nicolás Freitas beat Jaminet to the touch down for an unlikely lead.
The lead didn’t final lengthy, it’s true. Antoine Hastoy was despatched over from an attacking scrum 5 minutes later to revive a measure of sanity, which Jaminet adopted up with a penalty on quarter of an hour.
But that was it for the remainder of the half. Actually, it was Uruguay who got here closest to scoring once more when Etcheverry went clear by however Whitehouse, the tv match official, had a neater determination to make when he highlighted a blocking run by Tomás Inciarte.
We waited for regular service to renew after the break. Jaminet was provided an opportunity to calm France’s nerves however he pulled his penalty huge from simply inside his personal half. The nerves jangled some extra. Uruguay have been throughout them, holding up mauls, successful scrum penalties, which had appeared past them early on.
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But that was nothing. In the 53rd minute they scored their second try. It would have been impossible to tell who was the pedigree player when Baltazar Amaya glided round Arthur Vincent, whose defensive positioning at outside centre was horribly out for a split second. Etcheverry converted. France’s margin was now only one point.
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They restored the previous margin at the next play but it was ugly, the score of the nervous. Etcheverry, so immaculate to that point, kicked the ball into his own player and Peato Mauvaka, the replacement hooker, managed to gather and touch down.
It hardly calmed the nerves, though. France laboured on; Uruguay played to the death, winning penalties and collisions long after they were supposed to be knackered. Only in the 73rd minute did France secure the match, when Louis Bielle-Biarrey was worked neatly into the corner. But it was Uruguay pressing for a try when the final whistle sounded.
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