Argentina’s backs are being viewed as a mere backdrop to their powerhouse pack, as the All Blacks look to erase their quarter-final demons.
Argentina’s backs are being viewed as a mere backdrop to their powerhouse pack, as the All Blacks look to erase their quarter-final demons.South American flair does not pertain to the Pumas, who were the lowest try-scoring side of the eight Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists with 10 – nine of which came against Georgia and Romania.
It is their bulk up front that forms their biggest threat. Seldom outmuscled or unsettled at set-piece time, Argentina look to win the battle of the big men and cash in where possible through Felipe Contepomi’s boot.
The All Blacks are understandably talking up their opponents. They found out the hard way – in the 2007 tournament against France – that any quarter-final should not be underestimated.
There was no discussion of numbers nine through 15, however – even from All Blacks back coach Wayne Smith.
«They’re tough physically. They take a lot of pride from their pack,» Smith said of Argentina, who finished third at the 2007 World Cup.
«They’ve got a very good defensive system. They don’t over-commit there, they’ve always got players on their feet available.»
«They’re going to be a physical test, they’re going to be a tactical test, because they’re very smart.»
No.8 Kieran Read also saw the dangers coming up front.
«The Argentinians, they pride themselves on their forward effort and we definitely know that’s where they’ll attack us,» he said. «That’s where their entire game comes from, what they do up front.”
«We’re expecting a huge test, and they’re pretty smart with it as well. They probably one of the teams that have given away the least penalties. Also, they gain a lot as well.»
«The Pumas are a dangerous side. Their strength is in their forwards, and I think there’s no hiding behind that.»
«They’re really going to attack us in that area and they’ll really look to try and work territory and kick really well and try to keep the scoreboard just ticking over against us.»
Read, a player more than capable of muscling up and taking on the Pumas at their own game, is happy with the state of his previously injured ankle.
The powerhouse Crusader, who forms an imposing loose forward trio alongside captain Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino, returned to the field in a shortened stint on Sunday against Canada.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has the luxury for the first time in the tournament of picking from a full squad of 30 fit players.
That also owes to fly half Dan Carter’s tournament being over. Aaron Cruden has taken his place and trained with the side this week.
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