Argentina 23-20 France: Late Manuel Montero try sets up narrow victory for Pumas

DEBUTANT Manuel Montero scored a late winning try for Argentina on Saturday, setting up a narrow 23-20 defeat of France at the Mario Kempes stadium.

France had better possession but mistakes handed Argentina a try in each half, while France could manage only one try.

France haven’t won a game in Argentina against the Pumas since 1998, but will get a chance in the final game of their two-game tour, on 23 June in Tucuman.

Both sides experimented with their starting line-ups, each fielding two debutants from the start. It was Montero who made the game’s key play, chasing down a kick forward in the 77th minute, taking the ball under control and avoiding two tackles to make it 21-20 to the home side. Felipe Contepomi added the extras.