Fitness or fatigue won’t be factors as the Pumas bid to turn the Tri Nations upside down with another earth-shattering win over the All Blacks on Saturday night.
The unfancied pre-tournament outsiders have emerged as potential champions after backing up their historic first-ever win over the All Blacks with a gritty draw against the Wallabies last Saturday.
If they can pick up anything from this week’s return bout with New Zealand in Newcastle – even a bonus point for a loss by fewer than seven points – the Pumas will be on the box seat to escort the coveted Tri Nations trophy back to Argentina.
That would be a mighty effort for a team that hadn’t played a Test in more than 400 days before their series-opening triumph over the All Blacks.
Some members of Mario Ledesma’s squad have had to quarantine twice, for a total of 28 days, since spending a fortnight holed up first in Uruguay and then in Sydney after joining the Pumas from Europe.
Despite the gruelling campaign, the Pumas remain upbeat about their chances of collecting the most significant piece of silverware in Argentine rugby history.
“We are not looking for excuses. We are looking for our best performance on Saturday. That is our focus,” Pumas assistant coach Nicolas Fernandez-Miranda told AAP on Monday.
“We are feeling very good, we are feeling excited. These are two very important weeks for us.
“The first one is New Zealand, focusing on that, putting our mind, our physical fitness and everything together to be as sharp as we can be on Saturday.”
The All Blacks will be smarting after suffering successive Test defeats for the first time in 2011, having lost to the Wallabies in Brisbane before falling to the Pumas in Sydney.
But even if they hit back with a win this week, the All Blacks will have to await the result of the Pumas’ last-round showdown with the Wallabies in Sydney to learn their fate.
Third at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and semi-finalists against in 2015, the Pumas are delighted to have control of their own destiny after fighting back from nine points down in the second half to secure a priceless 15-15 draw against the Wallabies at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“We are very proud of what we did in the first two games of the competition,” Fernandez-Miranda said.
“But our mind is on our job and what we are trying to do and trying to win this week as best as we can.
“I don’t know what people think in Argentina. We are very alone here and that’s very good for our team because we are just focused on the team and being as tight as we can and as together as we can.”
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Dialogue with my teacher in primary school in Buenos Aires: Me: "Ma'am, can I go to the bathroom?" Mrs. Greenhalgh: "Yes, you can but you may not!" The Pumas can win the tri, but I don't think they will.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Well I’m hoping the ABs win because I hope they win every game. I’m not so sure fatigue won’t be a factor and both the Australia and NZ competitions saw a week off do wonders for a team. Big ask for Argentina and they’ve got a shit draw but really enjoyed watching them. Good luck
charly_777
Roar Rookie
A tournament of the greats of the South, there is no tier3 or 4 nation, for the titular players to rest, a very difficult tournament beyond the quality of the AB and Aus! For the next tournament if they let us bring us to Uruguay ... hahahah :laughing:
Manu
Roar Rookie
I think Argentina can win this tri nations, however, that has not to be our goal. We have to go to play good rugby and make our team great again, if the tri nations come, its great but is not the thing we came for. Los Pumas are putting many reserves against the AB in order to close the tournament the best way possible.
Wigeye
Guest
Love to see them win but maaf abs by 15 :crying:
Origin
Roar Rookie
Just heard Lezana will be the starting 8 on Saturday. Facunda Isa would be at the bench for later impact.
Origin
Roar Rookie
I guess, Nico will be fit next Saturday. I believe the question is whether Pumas will be fit for next Saturday. Possibly, Ledesma will place 10 changes to the starting team. Personally, I will like to see Miotti some good long time on Saturday, also a great fly half.
FatOldHalfback
Roar Rookie
Will Sanchez be fit for the ABs?
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
...plus... Had to correct as that reads poorly. :stoked:
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Fitness or fatigue won’t be factors... I admire Los Pumas and have acknowledged here that they are my favourite team behind the All Blacks but ANY Test Rugby team feels the heat in a week-in, week-out, format. The draw last week has put Los Pumas in a position to win the tournament which is fantastic for them and the game. I think this will be a tough fixture for them with Cubelli out, although it has to be a pus having Facunda and Boffelli back.