Laporte defiant despite defeat

France coach Bernard Laporte has issued a defiant message that Les Bleus can 'still play a key role' in the World Cup despite a stunning opening game defeat against Argentina.

If France are to be crowned world champions for the first time, they will need to make tournament history.

No team has ever won the competition after losing the opening match, but that is the challenge now awaiting Laporte's players after Argentina triumphed 17-12.

Pumas full-back Ignacio Corleto, who plays his club rugby in Paris with Stade Francais, scored an interception try that helped Argentina establish a 17-6 lead.

Four Felipe Contepomi penalties also played their part in keeping France at bay, and a shocked Laporte struggled to comprehend the enormity of his team's Pool D loss.

He said: 'At least we got a losing bonus point. We won't let our heads drop - France will still play a key role in this World Cup.

'We were fragile, and we couldn't cope with the pressure. Players didn't shoulder that pressure - they were jittery on the field - and we didn't hold the ball.

'The pressure was a big thing in the game. We didn't play like we had done in the three World Cup preparation games (against England, twice, and Wales).'

France must now effectively beat Ireland in Paris on September 21 to avoid pool stage elimination, and skipper Raphael Ibanez admitted: 'It's a big, big disappointment for the whole team.

'But we still have three games to go in this group, and we will have to work even harder.

'The expectation on us for this first game was enormous, and we weren't tough enough to deal with that.'

While France, who also lost goalkicking fly-half David Skrela to an injury that forced him off midway through the second period, head away to regroup, Argentina celebrated unquestionably their finest honour.

Captain Agustin Pichot said: 'I think Argentina should be really proud. I think we are not the best technically prepared players, but we do our best. Rugby's a very simple sport, and you have to play it 90% with your heart.

'This victory is one step forward, but we can't get carried away since the tournament has only just started.'

Argentina failed to score after the 34th minute, and although France were guilty of some dreadful handling and kicking errors, the Pumas thoroughly deserved the victory in a game when they made 110 tackles, compared to France's 60.

Pichot added: 'For myself, coach Marcelo Loffreda and the rest of the team this result is very important.

'This won't sink in for a while. We won't know what we have done, because you never know the context, but this team has a hunger to write history. As a team, we just want to make history for Argentina rugby.'

Centre Damien Traille and wing Aurelien Rougerie proved France's biggest attacking threats, yet nerves gripped the French performance as Argentina kept their shape and composure after Corleto's try - created when wing Horacio Agulla intercepted a Remy Martin pass - hoisted them 14-3 in front.

A capacity crowd at the Stade de France did its utmost to lift their heroes out of the doldrums, but not even the 60th minute arrival of impact substitute Sebastien Chabal could make a difference.

And when English referee Tony Spreadbury sounded the final whistle, France - somewhat inevitably - trooped off to a cacophony of boos.