KEY POINTS:
France have good reason to seek a victory over Argentina in the third-place playoff at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, says captain Raphael Ibanez.
The French were upset by the Pumas in the tournament's opening match, a result that put them in a tougher half of the
draw where they managed to outwit favourites New Zealand in the quarter-finals before going down to holders England.
On top of that, it is the hooker's second successive third-place match after France where hammered 40-13 by New Zealand in Sydney in 2003. "This one is totally different," said the 34-year-old Ibanez, the world's most capped hooker with 97 appearances for his country.
"We're in France and we must set the record straight against a team who hurt us a lot in our first match. This last match is really worth something."
France announced 10 changes, one positional, from the side who started the semifinal against England. The defending champions meet South Africa in Sunday's final at the Stade de France.
Coach Bernard Laporte retained six of the players from Sunday's 14-9 defeat and switched Damien Traille from fullback to centre, while 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.
Argentina have their own problems with hooker Mario Ledesma out with a leg muscle injury, prompting coach Marcelo Loffreda to call in a reserve, Eusebio Guinazu of French club Agen.
Alberto Vernet Basualdo is expected to be named at hooker in place of Ledesma, injured during their 37-13 semifinal defeat by South Africa, when Loffreda announces his team today with Guinazu starting on the bench.
Another man looking to make up for a defeat four years ago is former Australia coach Eddie Jones, whose Wallaby side lost the previous final to England in Sydney.
Jones is working as an adviser to South Africa coach Jake White and he said he would take some satisfaction if the Springboks beat England. "I won't be thinking 'gee that makes up for 2003' but I might throw the silver medal away," the 47-year-old said.
"I think South Africa is potentially the best team and if we play well, we'll get the result we want, but we have to play well."
Jones said his belief in the Springboks was based on their ability to adapt to any conditions. He said they had the players to switch game plans in an instant.
