Los Pumas are used to dealing with barbed stereotypes aimed at them; big strong forwards, no backs. For years they had to fight tooth and nail to be considered even as 'equals' to northern hemisphere opponents. Regular away wins over Wales, France, Scotland and England between 2001 and 2006 were considered as anomalies by many 'in the know'.
It wasn't until RWC 2007, when Argentina recorded a stirring victory over the French in the tournament's opening game, that the tide of popular opinion turned in their favour (in Europe at least). The heroics of the Pumas in that tournament changed the landscape of global rugby forever and might I add, for the better.
The current generation will reap the benefits of 2003's missing stars
Unfortunately for global rugby it took five years from that point to get Argentina fully embraced by SANZAR when they were asked to join 'The Rugby Championship'. The vast majority of players who shone in RWC 2007 no longer remain available, with many having retired as father time caught up with them. That is a shame for a group of players held in such high esteem around the world. Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi in particular will go down in history as legends of the game. There remain some remnants from that ground-breaking squad though.
Pumas Captain Juan Fernández Lobbe (Toulon) and his deputy, Patricio Albacete (Toulouse), are the heartbeat of the current side. They recently played in the 2011-2012 Top 14 Final too, with Albacete winning his fifth French title. Juan Leguizamón of Lyon, Marcos Ayerza of Leicester and ex Stade Français prop Rodrigo Roncero were also present in France 4 years ago. In terms of the backs, Horacio Agulla and glamour boy, Juan Martín Hernández, are the only players still competing for the Pumas.
The current generation will reap the benefits of 2003's missing stars
Unfortunately for global rugby it took five years from that point to get Argentina fully embraced by SANZAR when they were asked to join 'The Rugby Championship'. The vast majority of players who shone in RWC 2007 no longer remain available, with many having retired as father time caught up with them. That is a shame for a group of players held in such high esteem around the world. Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi in particular will go down in history as legends of the game. There remain some remnants from that ground-breaking squad though.
Pumas Captain Juan Fernández Lobbe (Toulon) and his deputy, Patricio Albacete (Toulouse), are the heartbeat of the current side. They recently played in the 2011-2012 Top 14 Final too, with Albacete winning his fifth French title. Juan Leguizamón of Lyon, Marcos Ayerza of Leicester and ex Stade Français prop Rodrigo Roncero were also present in France 4 years ago. In terms of the backs, Horacio Agulla and glamour boy, Juan Martín Hernández, are the only players still competing for the Pumas.
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| Rosario will host the All Blacks in Argentina's newest stadium |
Despite the loss of star players such as Felipe Contepomi though, there is a buzz ahead of the tournament in Argentina. The sport has boomed in recent years with the UAR now able to move matches freely across the country and still receive strong crowds. While SANZAR requested that two of the three matches in the upcoming Rugby Championship should be played in Buenos Aires, the Argentinian Union disagreed with the proposal, such was their confidence in the popularity of the sport across the whole country.
Instead, South Africa will play in the Andean city of Mendoza, New Zealand will play in La Plata (which holds the country's newest stadium) and Australia will play in Rosario. Earlier in the year Argentina packed Tucumán too and enjoyed a large crowd in Córdoba against France. Rugby in the country is simply reaching new heights. The added exposure of the Rugby Championship can only have a further positive effect.
Who are the Key Players for Los Pumas?
Hernández is certainly Argentina´s key player due to his option taking and his consistency. While he was considered by many commentaters to be the world's best fullback in 2006, his move to fly half increased his influence on the field. Hernández systematically tore apart Ireland at Rugby World Cup 2007 with arguably the best flyhalf performance of the tournament. That was, however, a long time ago. He has not actually pulled on a Pumas shirt for over three years, due to a series of chronic knee and back problems. The talent remains though and his recovery for Racing Metro last season should hold him in good stead.
A good sign for Argentina too is that the backs in 2012 are unquestionably a different class to those from 2007. The squad, for the first time ever, has more world class wingers than spots available. This past season Horacio Agulla was 'player of the year' for Leicester and Gonzalo Camacho was named 'Game Changer of the Season' in England.
In France, meanwhile, Juan Imhoff and Lucas González Amorosino were amongst the best outside backs on show, while Martín Bustos Moyano had his second straight strong season for Montpellier. He is also as a side note, Argentina´s best goalkicker.
Of the players mentioned though, the ones to really watch out for are González Amorosino and Juan Imhoff. They are far from sterotypical Pumas wingers. González Amorosino is speedy and has the ability to step off both feet. He is also a daring fullback who is not afraid to run the ball back from deep. He scored countless breathtaking tries for Montpellier in the Top 14 last year. Imhoff meanwhile is comparable to Welshman, Shane Williams. He is small, fast and very difficult to drag down. He was easily Racing Métro's best back last year, despite only having joined the club as a 'medical joker'.
A good sign for Argentina too is that the backs in 2012 are unquestionably a different class to those from 2007. The squad, for the first time ever, has more world class wingers than spots available. This past season Horacio Agulla was 'player of the year' for Leicester and Gonzalo Camacho was named 'Game Changer of the Season' in England.
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| Amorosino shows the daring qualities that will win him fans among the SANZAR community |
In France, meanwhile, Juan Imhoff and Lucas González Amorosino were amongst the best outside backs on show, while Martín Bustos Moyano had his second straight strong season for Montpellier. He is also as a side note, Argentina´s best goalkicker.
Of the players mentioned though, the ones to really watch out for are González Amorosino and Juan Imhoff. They are far from sterotypical Pumas wingers. González Amorosino is speedy and has the ability to step off both feet. He is also a daring fullback who is not afraid to run the ball back from deep. He scored countless breathtaking tries for Montpellier in the Top 14 last year. Imhoff meanwhile is comparable to Welshman, Shane Williams. He is small, fast and very difficult to drag down. He was easily Racing Métro's best back last year, despite only having joined the club as a 'medical joker'.
Argentina's record against SANZAR nations
While it is true that Argentina has never defeated New Zealand, the two teams have drawn before and a lack of opportunities for the Pumas during the last decade have prevented Argentina from any hope of an elusive win over the All Blacks.
The teams have only played twice over the past ten years; firstly in Buenos Aires in 2006 (in a match Argentina came close to winning at the death) and secondly at Rugby World Cup 2011, where it took New Zealand over three quarters of the match to score a try in a hugely nervous match, dominated by the boot of NZ halfback Piri Weepu.
South Africa has never officially been defeated by Argentina. However, a team called the South American Jaguares defeated South Africa 21-12 in 1982. All players representing South America that day were Pumas. No players in the match were from any other South American nations.
Los Pumas have also officially defeated Australia four times in their history, the last time being1997, when a Wallabies team packed with players who would eventually win the 1999 World Cup lost 18-16 in Buenos Aires. Shamefully, Australia has not travelled to Argentina since 2002 and (excluding their match in Rugby World Cup 2003) has not hosted Argentina since the year 2000.
The teams have only played twice over the past ten years; firstly in Buenos Aires in 2006 (in a match Argentina came close to winning at the death) and secondly at Rugby World Cup 2011, where it took New Zealand over three quarters of the match to score a try in a hugely nervous match, dominated by the boot of NZ halfback Piri Weepu.
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| 'South American Jaguars' toured South Africa in 1982...and won. |
South Africa has never officially been defeated by Argentina. However, a team called the South American Jaguares defeated South Africa 21-12 in 1982. All players representing South America that day were Pumas. No players in the match were from any other South American nations.
Los Pumas have also officially defeated Australia four times in their history, the last time being1997, when a Wallabies team packed with players who would eventually win the 1999 World Cup lost 18-16 in Buenos Aires. Shamefully, Australia has not travelled to Argentina since 2002 and (excluding their match in Rugby World Cup 2003) has not hosted Argentina since the year 2000.
Rugby Championship Prediction:
The home and away factor is often talked about with teams playing in Argentina struggling to play to the same levels abroad. Certainly Argentina will be where Los Pumas are most likely to gain victory. No side will find the hostile atmosphere easy. Australia in particular look most vulnerable, due to their less than dominant looking pack. Away from home though, it is un-chartered waters for Argentina.
Argentina to win 2 matches by defeating Australia and South Africa in Argentina.
Compiled by Paul Tait
Edited by Phil Bailey
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Good stuff. As a Springbok, i should think we will be too strong for them but definately glad they're here. It's been a long time coming that they're finally in the Championship, and i think it will make Southern Hemisphere all the better for it.
ReplyDeleteThis is no Italy in the 6 nations, so i think they will definately be competing well immediately, but very strongly within a few short years.
There is certainly potential. No one is considering them as title winners at the moment, but with regular competition they can begin to challenge more seriously.
DeleteI stand by my conviction that Argentina need to be involved in Super Rugby too. For alignment sake at least, it makes sense.
I agree that it would very beneficial to them(and rugby) to have them involved in Super Rugby, but how likely a possibility is that?
DeleteThe competition is already much bigger than it was, with each of the countries able and wanting to probably add in more of their teams. The Lions have been relegated in favour of the Southern Kings in terms of the SA franchises, but you've got a lot of p'd off Lions fans over that.
Additionally, the usual matters of sponsorships and finance come in to it, as well as the amounts of travel for many consecutive weeks.
Tricky
It's certainly tricky. I just think that somewhere along the line, that is the way forward. There needs to be some alignment of club rugby with international rugby. Otherwise Argentinian players will be playing a slow paced European game and then having to up the tempo when they join the Rugby Championship. That's a difficult ask.
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