This was published 7 years ago
Stronger Pumas primed for Wallabies clash after doing hard slog in Super Rugby
By Georgina Robinson
Argentina's first season in Super Rugby was a disappointment to the outside world, but insiders are adamant it was the catalyst for the Pumas' improved Test form this year.
Pundits were hopeful Argentina's World Cup semi-final appearance last year would translate to a competitive Jaguares outfit in the expanded Super Rugby competition.
Despite kicking off the season with a high-scoring win against the Cheetahs, the Puma-studded Jaguares struggled to adapt to the relentless pace and travel schedule of the southern hemisphere provincial competition, finishing in 13th place with just four wins and 11 losses.
It was an anti-climactic debut for the newest SANZAAR members, but the first three rounds of the Rugby Championship indicate the Pumas are benefiting from the experience. Just halfway through their fifth season in the big leagues, the Pumas have already equalled their season-best record of one win and are scoring an average of 24 points per game, well up from last year's average of 19 points.
Looking to pass: Tomas Cubelli during the Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at Waikato Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
They were blown off the park by New Zealand in the second half in Hamilton on Saturday, but produced a combination of starch and flair to trail by two points in the 50th minute, before folding in the face of an All Blacks onslaught, conceding five tries to go down 57-22. A similar story unfolded in the Pumas' opening clash against the Springboks in Nelspruit, but the Daniel Hourcade-coached side hit back at home a week later, overcoming numerous injuries to down South Africa 26-24 in Salta in the second round.
UAR chief Greg Peters believes it was a brutal first outing in Super Rugby that helped harden Argentina's players for Test duty this year.
"What was really pleasing out of that South Africa game was not just that we won, but looking at how we were able to adapt to the pressure of the game," Peters said.
"We lost players through injury, our back line was makeshift, we lost our first- and second-string goal kickers and we were still able to hold on to the win. We wouldn't have got ourselves in that position historically. That comes from the week-in, week-out intensity of Super Rugby. It gives you mental toughness in those situations. It was particularly pleasing for me to observe that we were able to handle that pressure and bring the game home."
Australia also scored a narrow win over South Africa, fending off a late charge to win 23-17. It snapped a six-game losing streak for the Wallabies and relieved some pressure on last year's World Cup finalists, but the Pumas loom as tougher opponents.
"I know the Pumas very well, I know their footy. They can play," Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said.
"They're going to test us, they can play a lot more offloading and open play, [with] balls back inside. They'll challenge our defence and we'll need to take a step up, no doubt. We got a win and there were some really good bits, but I also think there were some areas we can really improve on and we need to improve on."
Key to the Pumas' rising fortunes this year is Nicolas Sanchez, their sharp-shooting No.10. Sanchez is the competition's second highest point scorer (38 points) behind Beauden Barrett (43). He was also a key signing for the Jaguares when the UAR adopted the policy that only domestically signed players be eligible for Test duty.
It was a big risk for the UAR, given Argentina's failing economy and poor player pathway. In a coup for the union, Sanchez left French club Toulon to join the Jaquares, alongside fellow internationals Agustin Creevy and Joaquin Tuculet.
Sanchez said at the time: "The truth is that I take what is coming with great responsibility and I look forward to it. There was a moment, when I was playing in Toulon at a good level and had the chance to stay there, that it crossed my mind to stay in Europe. But I could not get out of my head that meant not playing for Los Pumas. For me that was significant."