RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007 / FRANCE: France v Argentina

And the sixfth rugby world cup has kicked off this evening with a huge shock as the hosts France lost in their national stadium to Argentina. It was an unimaginable defeat for "Les Bleus" which could see them going out fo their own tournament at the group stage. France spent long periods on the attack at the Stade de France but too many mistakes proved their downfall. Ignacio Corleto scored the only try of the match, as the French team and tactics began to unravel. France paid the penalty for missed kicks by David Skrela and Frederick Michalak. In the second-half, they resorted to the man nicknamed "The Caveman" , Sebastien Chabal, to power them back into the match. But it was all in vain. Argentina ran out winners by 17 points to 12. The competition is being overshadowed by a row between organisers and the media. Four major news agencies are boycotting the event complaining that the International Rugby Board has put excessive restrictions on what they can photograph and film. The IRB says it's just protecting it's official partners' rights - critics say increased commercialisation is compromising coverage.

ITN Source | September 7, 2007

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