Monday 24 November 2014 15:30, UK
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre admitted he is worried about his team's ability to play successive tough matches just 10 months out from the World Cup in England.
Having beaten Fiji 40-15 two weeks ago and turned over Australia 29-26 last week, France failed to see out their November tests with a win as Argentina came away from the Stade de France in Paris with an 18-13 success.
It was their first win over the French in France since a pair of victories during the 2007 World Cup.
But for the Saint-Andre, the concern is about his team's ability to compete at the highest level week after week, something they will have to do if they want to succeed at the World Cup.
"Of course it's worrying, we'd have preferred to win the third game," he said. "We failed to produce three high level matches in a row, we need to progress mentally and physically.
"We have some players who struggle at this level to compete for 80 minutes in intense and ferocious matches one after another. In the first half hour, we didn't win many duels."
The match was almost over as a contest after 30 minutes as Argentina had streaked into a 15-0 lead, with fly-half Nicolas Sanchez scoring two penalties and as many drop goals, while inside centre Juan Martin Hernandez added another drop goal.
Sanchez would finish with three droppers, and the Pumas with four, by the end of the game as they dominated throughout, coming away from almost every attacking situation with three points.
Saint-Andre admitted his team, who scored the only try of the game through Wesley Fofana, were simply blown away by a better side in those first 30 minutes.
"We weren't ambitious in the first half, we didn't manage to keep hold of the ball and lost it from the kick-off," he said.
"In the first half hour Argentina were better than us so we have to find the answer mentally, technically and in terms of reactivity.
"We have a healthy, intelligent group, we know where we are and where we want to go. It wasn't a lack of desire in the first half hour, we just didn't have the ball, and every time we had it, we were knocked back in the contact zone.
"When you're knocked back in contact, it's difficult."
Saint-Andre insists he was not surprised by Argentina’s performance.
"They’ve been in the 'Four Nations' for three years. They go through a World Cup level preparation every year," Saint Andre said.
"They have ball possession even against South Africa, the All Blacks, Australia and they have progressed in their understanding of the game. They tick the high performance boxes.”
A delighted Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade said: "There were lots of new kids who were up for the match (on Saturday). We made steps forward above all in attack.
"In rugby, a high percentage is down to attitude but you also need to play. We need both things."
Captain Augustin Creevy said they still have a long way to go before they could be considered World Cup contenders.
"We're working hard with a lot of humility and sacrifices," he said. "Of course, our aim is to win the World Cup but even if others view us as potential winners, we still know that we're lacking a lot as a team.
"So we'll progress calmly, concentrate on each match and we won't look too far ahead. We'll just take little steps."
