Argentina gatecrash France's World Cup party

RUGBY: Paris, Sep 8,- Argentina spectacularly gatecrashed France's World Cup party on Friday when they kicked off the six-week marathon with a stunning 17-12 upset over the hosts in front of 80,000 people in the Stade de France.

The result delivered a major dent to France's hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals from a Pool D which also includes Six Nations Triple Crown winners Ireland.

It was also a blow for the country's sporting prestige which was so badly bruised by the loss of the 2012 Olympics to London. "We are overcome with happiness, but we shouldn't get above ourselves because it is only the first match," said Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda.

The Pumas scored all of their points in the first half with Ignacio Corleto scoring a breakaway try and Felipe Contepomi, playing alongside brother Manuel, kicking the other points.

David Skrela kicked France's meagre four-penalty response.

"When you begin a World Cup, and it is imperative to win the match and you lose, you can say only one thing that the sky has fallen in on your head," said devastated France coach Bernard Laporte. The defeat was a shattering let down for France which has invested millions in the tournament and has seen the 10 venues in the country bedecked in the French tricolour and submerged in World Cup hype.

Even the Eiffel Tower has been drafted in on the act with a giant, illuminated rugby ball draped beneath the famous structure.

Despite the Pumas's heroics, the six-week World Cup, which features 20 teams, four billion television viewers and 48 matches, is widely expected to result in a title for the mighty All Blacks when the final takes place on October 20.

Along the way there will be a series of staggering mismatches as the world's best come face to face with the game's underclass with the amateurs of Portugal occupying the lowest rung.

It is their misfortune that they have been drawn in the same pool as New Zealand who are desperate to add the 2007 title to their lone success in the inaugural tournament, 20 long years ago. All Blacks flanker Jerry Collins insists there is no extra pressure on Graham Henry's team.

"Expectation follows us. It's bigger when the tournament starts, it's pretty small at the moment but I think as the games go on and get bigger, it would be different," he said. "When you play for the All Blacks, you know that it is just a part of the job, that's part of being an All Black to be pushed by this pressure."

New Zealand started against Italy on Saturday, the same day that former double champions Australia face Japan and defending champions England tackle the United States.

England are without fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked the winning drop goal in the 2003 final, after he damaged ankle ligaments in training while the Wallabies have forgiven flying winger Lote Tuqiri, who served a two-match ban at the end of the Tri-Nations series.

South Africa, the 1995 champions, come into the tournament more unified than the 2003 team on the field, but overshadowed by political interference and arguments over the racial make-up of the squad.

Before Argentina's heroics, the Stade de France, who had witnessed the Zinedine Zidane-inspired 1998 football World Cup triumph, enjoyed a colourful opening ceremony.

There was a parade of the 20 greatest all-time players, like Jonah Lomu and French legend Jean Pierre Rives, while the festivities featured 200 dancers and music under the guidance of leading choreographer Olivier Massart.

In the centre of Paris, meanwhile, 4,000 people gathered to watch the ceremony as well as the match on a giant screen erected outside the Hotel de Ville. International Rugby Board chairman (IRB) Syd Millar welcomed the fans and teams.

"The International Rugby Board welcomes you all to this marvellous festival of world rugby," he said. "Each rugby World Cup has been better than the last, and this will prove no exception. Rugby is rightly proud of its ability to retain high standards of sportsmanship, ethical behaviour and fair play."

Off the field, a potentially damaging media dispute was resolved just 90 minutes before the first match kicked-off.

The row involved the three main news agencies - Agence France-Presse, Reuters and Associated Press - suspending coverage of the event.

AFP