Statistics - using possession in play-off

The match between Argentina and France for the bronze medal, the second last match of the 2007 World Cup, produced a result which confounds statistics. Those we give here tell how possession was used.

We have already given the statistics for getting possession.

If you put the statistics together it seems bizarre that Argentina beat France and did so 34-10, scoring five tries to one.

As has been the case in the other knock-out matches, The statistics on possession time, passes and kicks seem to suggest that the best thing to do is get rid of the ball, defend like blazes and exploit mistakes.

Fair Play have given us some statistics which show how possession was used.

Later we shall discuss some incidents from the this match and from the final.

1. Possession Time

Argentina: 15 minutes 1 second

France: 27 minutes 2 seconds

2. Passes

Argentina: 84

France: 175

3. Kicks

Argentina: 39

France: 27

4. Ruck & Maul (the number lost is in brackets)

Argentina: 47 (1)

France: 91 (8)

5. Turn-overs won in general play

Argentina: 15

France: 5

6. Getting possession from penalty, free kick, scrum, line-out

Argentina: 24

France: 46

Argentina conceded 2 yellow cards, France 1.

7. Tries scored

Argentina: 5

France: 1

Penalty kicks at goal with successful kicks in brackets

Argentina: 1 (1)

France: 1 (1)

Drop goal attempts with successful kicks in brackets

Argentina: 3 (0)

France: 0 (0)