Argentina were one of the surprises of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, even if their style of play was not particularly enjoyable to watch, and they can progress just as far in 2015 if their recent improvements are anything to go by.
They made good progress in 2007, getting as far as finishing in third-place. They managed through a good set-piece, a strong, well-executed kicking game and good kick-chase, and an excellent breakdown game. Their back row are always ferociously competitive, and always prove to be tough opponents in this facet of the game against even the best back rowers in the world.
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However, they have added new dimensions to their game since 2007.
Argentina have been on an upward curve since the last Rugby World Cup, which is in part due to their inclusion in The Rugby Championship.
Since the last World Cup, they have retained their solid set-pieces, strong kicking game, and competitiveness at the breakdown, but have also shown an ability to retain the ball in hand over several phases, and work their way up the field.
In their more recent games, they have showed much more variation in attack, particularly in their backline, with more player movement off the ball, improved running lines, an improved skill set, as well as a better awareness of how to bring players into the line at different angles.
Nicolás Sánchez has matured into a fine international outside half, performing well against the likes of Aaron Cruden, Bernard Foley, and Handré Pollard in The Rugby Championship.
In 2012 and 2013, they appeared to be quite fatigued once it came to the November series, which was due to playing a higher number of Test matches per year. However, it appears that they have overcome this fatigue in their most recent November series, even managing a win on French soil, albeit against a woeful French team.
Despite that outstanding victory, their other performances in that series were not particularly good, and were characterised by the previously mentioned end-of-year fatigue. They endured a loss to Scotland in their first game, which looked like a major setback, although it must be noted that Scotland’s performance have improved significantly with the introduction of their new head coach, Vern Cotter.
They followed this loss up with an unconvincing two-point win over Italy, before raising their performance levels to beat the French. This mixed bag of performances and results will not give them much confidence, but they have five Tests to play between now and the beginning of the World Cup, which should give them plenty of time to find consistency.
They have unearthed a potentially world-class winger in the form of Manuel Montero, but they need to get him more involved in the game in order to get the most out of his size and devastating power. He is an excellent finisher out wide, but he could make more of an impact if he was brought into midfield to wreak havoc, or given a chance to run at opposition out-halves.
Looking ahead to next year’s World Cup, Argentina do not have an easy pool, with New Zealand and Tonga being their biggest obstacles to reaching the knockout stages.
However, they will most likely qualify as runners-up from their pool. This will mean a quarter-final against the winner of Pool D, which will most likely be either Ireland or France, two teams which they have performed favourably against in past World Cups.
A semi-final spot is a realistic possibility for Argentina, and if they can put their newfound match fitness and knowledge from The Rugby Championship to good use, they have every chance of progressing even further.
Karl van Beek
Guest
If it comes to pass, a quarterfinal between Argentina Ireland would be one of my most anticipated games of the 2015 world cup why? I can't imagine a better situation, the top 2 underdogs, the overachieving Pumas and the underachieving Irish, battling for a chance to make history for their nation. There's no doubt that Ireland's form at the moment could very well see them walking away as champions. However, can Ireland make it to their first semi final? Can Argentina take it another to another level to make their debut final appearance? to be honest all I want an AB's vs Los Pumas final ;P
nickoldschool
Guest
Fair point eddard, Tonga needed a bp win and no defensive bp for the french. This is why it was widely considered a foregone conclusion by the French who are used in top 14 to not give all in games that aren't 'must win'. I know it's pretty bad but that's a cultural issue.
Harry Jones
Expert
NOS, your point is well taken: ARG has a better pool than ENG/OZ
Eddard
Roar Guru
It wasn't a dead rubber. If Tonga had won by 8 points or more and scored 4 tries they would have gone through. I remember being frustrated watching it because it seemed like Tonga didn't realise this and kept going for penalty goals when France were there for the taking. I think they had something like 7 or 8 attempts at goal. Tonga are currently ranked ahead of Italy in the world rankings, despite the fact Tonga are pretty much never at full strength outside of world cups. Not to mention all of Italy's other advantages.
Harry Jones
Expert
Good previews! Well done.
nickoldschool
Guest
Eddard, france played their game vs tonga after tonga had lost to canada, so it was a dead rubber. Am pretty sure france would have beaten tonga if they had to. Tonga and georgia are quality teams no question but if you look at other pools, I'd rather have tonga as third best team than wales, samoa or even italy. Thats a good pool for the argies.
Eddard
Roar Guru
Yet France lost to Tonga in the pool and only made it through because Tonga lost to Canada. I think both Tonga and Georgia at full strength are a potential threat to Argentina in a one off game.
Very true.
nickoldschool
Guest
I actually think they have one of the best draws of all teams, i.e. play nz in the pools, have a fairly weak competition to finish 2 nd (Tonga), a winnable quarter vs a 6n team other than the hosts. France had a similar draw in 2011 and we know what happened despite being awful till the final.
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks for the Argentina piece. I think Pumas will keep improving because they cheat. ie: - they have a hooker who also doubles as a flanker. - a jumping, rucking, scrummaging lock who weighs two players - a killer scrum suited for the 'cheat friendly' 8 man scrum rules Go Pumas!
mrl
Guest
Vamos Los Pumas.
Nobrain
Guest
Sorry johnno, but JMH was a classy players, nowdays I think Argentina has better options than him. I call him the Dan Carter of Argentina, he is always injured and and we have not seen much of action from him in the last three years .IMO if he plays all out he will not finish RWC in one peace.
Nobrain
Guest
Tnxs for the article, I have second thoughts about injuries in Argentina. I do not see a replacement for Sanchez or a 3 rd scrumhalf. Another thing that worries me is the average age of the team will be very low and their cap experience compare to the other contenders is very low also. The 2007 team was a more mature team than this one and had an exellent leader on Pichot,. I am not very fan of leaders, it represents imo weakenes in a team ( if a strong leader goes down the rest will be lost in the field), but in the case of a very young team like Argentina is a must. I agree with you that I will rather face France than Ireland,that is the reason that I think that they will try to catch NZ by surprise in the 1 match, it is a dificult task considering the history of the oponent, but there is always a first time and everybody is nervous in the opening game. Tonga and Georgia will be a battle that will have a physical toll on the players.
Nobrain
Guest
Tnxs for the article, I have second thoughts about injuries in Argentina. I do not see a replacement for Sanchez or a 3 rd scrumhalf. Another thing that worries me is the average age of the team will be very low and their cap experience compare to the other contenders is very low also. The 2007 team was a more mature team than this one and had an exellent leader on Pichot,. I am not very fan of leaders, it represents imo weakenes in a team ( if a strong leader goes down the rest will be lost in the field), but in the case of a very young team like Argentina is a must. I agree with you that I will rather face France than Ireland,that is the reason that I think that they will try to catch NZ by surprise in the 1 match, it is a dificult task considering the history of the oponent, but there is always a first time and everybody is nervous in the opening game. Tonga and Georgia will be a battle that will have a physical toll on the players.
John Cuffe
Roar Guru
The reason I clarify whether a team is a joy to watch or not is just to point out the different styles of rugby that different teams play. It is not an attempt to denigrate teams who play a style of rugby that is considered less enjoyable to watch than others. Like you said, teams play to a game plan that gets the most out of their abilities. In the first part of my preview of Wales (http://www.theroar.com.au/2014/12/25/2015-rugby-world-cup-preview-wales-part-i/), I make a similar point: "Back in 2012 and 2013 (when Wales were winning Six Nations trophies), terms such as ‘pragmatic’ and ‘efficient’ were being used by the media to describe their style of play, whereas now it is considered ‘unimaginative’ or ‘over simplistic’. What most people seem to forget about rugby is that a team doesn’t need to do anything complex to win games. Once a team are executing a game plan which is well-coached, accurate, where every player has a clear understanding of their role, where the intensity levels are high enough (and in Wales’ case, where they are playing at a quick pace), and where very few errors are made, then they are very difficult to stop."
John, I admire the amount of work you are putting into these previews, it is a lot of work you gave yourself over the festive season. Just one criticism if I may, why is it necessary to clarify whether a team is a joy to watch or not? Some teams have to make do with less world class players, less skills or talent, for that reason they put together a game plan that can provide them the best results. That is what makes rugby such a fantastic sport, the fact that different styles of play generate incredible games of rugby and often upset results. Sure a try run in from 75 meters is more spectacular than a try coming from a line out drive, but ultimately both scores require a particular set of skills and execution to complete. Anyway, in regards to the 2015 RWC, I think they stand a better chance of making the semi's if they play France than Ireland. Their recent record over France have been much better. Ireland on the other hand doesn't seem to struggle against them that much.
Johnno
Guest
Argies getting better. Juan Martin Hernandez is a classy player too. They will be strong, and they are developing more depth as more money pours into rugby. Argies do pretty well at sports they invest in, Basketball,field-hockey,horse polo,rugby, and of course soccer.