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‘Lots of things to improve’: Argentina’s Julian Montoya reacts to loss
By Finn Morton
Julian Montoya offered a candid assessment of Argentina’s tough 37-23 loss to France in Paris on Friday evening. The captain highlighted Los Pumas’ slow start and the team’s poor discipline as areas of concern after their final Autumn Nations Series match of the year.
On the back of a historic run in The Rugby Championship which saw Argentina beat New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in the same tournament for the first time, Los Pumas travelled north as they set sights on more headline-grabbing upsets.
Argentina smashed Italy 50-18 and came close to knocking off Ireland in a 22-19 loss in Dublin, but they had one more match to play before the season came to a close. France were up next, which pitted a Rugby World Cup semi-finalist against a northern hemisphere heavyweight.
But with Thibaud Flament, Gabin Villiere, Louis Bielle-Birrey scoring five-pointers, and a penalty try going France’s way, it seemed the hosts were always in control. Argentina had the last laugh with Ignacio Ruiz scoring with just over 10 minutes to play, but time wasn’t on their side.
At the end of an incredible season which saw Argentina make some unforgettable history, they were handed a one-sided 14-point loss. Players were visibly disappointed after the full-time whistle at Stade de France, but their captain remained as proud as ever of Los Pumas.
“First of all I want to say thank you to all the Argentina people that came here to Paris to support us and the people that support us from home. To us it’s very important,” Montoya said on the post-game broadcast.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted. Our discipline wasn’t good, two yellow cards.
“What I think it good and (why) I’m proud of the team is the way we went for the game until the 80th minute.
“But lots of things to improve. Now we need to look inside each other; what do we need to do better… but I’m proud of this team as always.”
It would’ve taken an incredible effort for Argentina to wrestle their way back into the lead after going into the sheds at half-time down 30-9. France had scored three tries, but it was the goal-kicking boot of flyhalf Thomas Ramos that seemed to do the most damage.
Whenever Argentina pivot Tomas Albornoz converted a penalty, Ramos lined up a shot at goal usually within a few minutes to cancel out the score. Les Bleus ran riot as the proud Parisian crowd well and truly got behind their rugby heroes with a chorus of cheers and songs.
The second half was more of a battle with Argentina ‘winning’ that period 14-7, with Thomas Gallo scoring the other try for the visitors, but the damage had been done. Argentina finished the year with a 50 per cent winning record, with six wins from their 12 Tests in 2024.
“I’m proud of this team always, not just when we do things all right,” Montoya added.
“We were in a tough position and we need to embrace those moments and come together stronger. We win together and we lose together.”
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Yes I was surprised at how close the pen count was - the spread between best and worst being just 2. The number of yellow cards though will surely be something the Boks will look to address
Go to commentsBriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiistol! Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiistol! Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiistol!
It's incredible to see the boys playing like this. Back to the form that saw them finish on top of the regular season and beat Toulon to win the challenge cup. Ibitoye and Ravouvou doing a cracking Piutau/Radradra impression.
It's abundantly clear that Borthwick and Wigglesworth need to transform the England attack and incorporate some of the Bears way. Unfortunately until the Bears are competing in Europe, the old criticisms will still be used.. we failed to fire any punches against La Rochelle and Leinster which goes to show there is still work to do but both those sides are packed full of elite players so it's not the fairest comparison to expect Bristol to compete with them. I feel Bristol are on the way up though and the best is yet to come. Tom Jordan next year is going to be obscene.
Test rugby is obviously a different beast and does Borthwick have enough time with the players to develop the level of skill the Bears plays have? Even if he wanted to? We should definitely be able to see some progress, Scotland have certainly managed it. England aren't going to start throwing the ball around like that but England's attack looks prehistoric by comparison, I hope they take some inspiration from the clarity and freedom of expression shown by the Bears (and Scotland - who keep beating us, by the way!). Bristol have the best attack in the premiership, it'd be mad for England to ignore it because it doesn't fit with the Borthwick and Wigglesworth idea of how test rugby should be played. You gotta use what is available to you. Sadly I think England will try reluctantly to incorporate some of these ideas and end up even more confused and lacking identity than ever. At the moment England have two teams, they have 14 players and Marcus Smith. Marcus sticks out as a sore thumb in a team coached to play in a manner ideologically opposed to the way he plays rugby, does the Bears factor confuse matters further? I just have no confidence in Borthers and Wiggles.
Crazy to see the Prem with more ball in play than SR!
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