Pumas lick their wounds

The Argentina Pumas have arrived in Wales licking their wounds and looking to win at least the last of their three-Test tour next weekend.

Coach Jose Luis Imhoff also made an impassioned plea for equal treatment by referees of second tier nations after indirectly accusing Australian Andrew Cole of favouring the French.

This was the Pumas' second defeat after losing to Italy 23-19 the previous Saturday in Piacenza, though Saturday's winning margin did not do the tourists justice.

"It's the first time in my life that I talk about the referee," Imhoff said. "But I love this game and if we are to develop it in the weaker nations let them apply the laws so we can play in equal conditions with the big (teams).

"I'm indignant. Infringements must be penalised the same way near the in-goal and the middle of the field," he said, pointing out that France committed successive off-sides as the Pumas pressed them close to their line in the second half.

Argentina should have been given a penalty try, captain Pedro Sporleder said.

Former France World Cup scrum-half and coach Pierre Berbizier agreed the score was flattering to the French. The first of their five tries came after a forward pass, and the last from an offside position.

France - Tries: Carbonneau, Glas (2), Bernat-Salles, Comba. Penalty: Aucagne. Convrsions: Aucagne (3).

Argentina - Tries: Camerlinckx. Penalties: Arbizu (3).