Sport

Laporte makes 10 changes to face Argentina

Third-Fourth place play-off France coach Bernard Laporte stirred controversy even before joining the French government by saying…

Wed Oct 17 2007 - 01:00

Third-Fourth place play-offFrance coach Bernard Laporte stirred controversy even before joining the French government by saying yesterday he would stay there only if he liked it.

Laporte, whose team play Argentina in the World Cup third-place play-off on Friday, will become a junior minister for sport next week.

"I'll have a new job," he told reporters after naming his team for Friday's game. "If I like it, I'll stay. If I don't like it, I'll stop, it's as simple as that."

His comments did not amuse Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot. "I think the question about a ministry is not whether you like it or not," she told French radio.

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"When you have a duty, you don't do it for pleasure. You do it in the best interest of your countrymen. I think that's the main point."

Laporte has made 10 changes, one of them positional, in the team to face Argentina at the Parc des Princes.

Just six of the players who started Saturday's 14-9 semi-final defeat by England are retained with Damien Traille switched from fullback to centre.

Three players, lock Fabien Pelous, centre Yannick Jauzion and prop Olivier Milloud, were ruled out by injuries.

Lock Sebastien Chabal, whose citing for an alleged dangerous tackle on England lock Simon Shaw has been dismissed, is among the replacements.

Clement Poitrenaud returns at fullback and Frederic Michalak will start at number 10, an indication that France will try to run the ball after being criticised for failing to do so against England.

"We had to take into account the fact that many players were injured or tired but it's certainly not a match we are taking lightly," said Laporte. "We want to win this match because third place is at stake and the players will give it all they have."

Like France, Argentina are hampered by injuries and will not be able to field their best team.

France manager Jo Maso said he did not expect an easy match. "We know Argentina, they play with a lot of heart and never let go."

FRANCE (v Argentina, Friday, Parc des Princes):C Poitrenaud; A Rougerie, D Skrela, D Traille, C Dominici; F Michalak, J-B Elissalde; J-B Poux, R Ibanez (capt), P de Villiers, L Nallet, J Thion, Y Nyanga, T Dusautoir, I Harinordoquy. Replacements: S Bruno, N Mas, S Chabal, R Martin, P Mignoni, L Beauxis, V Clerc.