This version of Los Pumas in the Tri-Nations series excited me as much or more than the third place in the World Cup in France or the fourth place in the World Cup in England due to the countless setbacks they had to deal with.
Several quarantines in different countries and two groups of players, some who came from Europe but were only able to get together the week before the debut with a victory against nothing more and nothing less than the All Blacks, a team that they had never beaten before.
Most of the players hadn’t seen their family and friends in the last four months and have been through several countries with only a bag of clothes in tow.
There was the huge disadvantage of having hardly played rugby for many months and having to endure four matches in four consecutive weeks against teams that rested 15 days between matches.
It should not be forgotten that between the All Blacks and the Wallabies have won more than 50 per cent of the world titles that have been played so far, compared to a nation where the best results are a third and fourth place.
And all ending in the last week with Pablo Matera-gate.
But this team overcame all that and it speaks to great mental preparation to become strong in the face of adversity, knowing their limitations and replacing them with great courage and dedication on the field. 90 per cent of these players are a great brotherhood who have been playing together since Jaguares began and they are a team of friends where they welcomed a number of young players without international experience and helped them to connect quickly by transmitting both rugby and mental knowledge.
This was clearly seen in this last game where a couple of key players had to be replaced, one of them the captain.
(Photo by Amilcar Orfali/Getty Images)
I think we should also highlight the staff that has been criticised so many times, especially after the poor performance in the last World Cup in Japan.
Mario Ledesma’s courage to call Michael Cheika to collaborate in the preparation of this team is something unusual, but it clearly speaks to the fact that this is an older Ledesma who has put aside pride a bit and understood that something that helps the team will help him.
His assistants play a fundamental role in transmitting ideas and taking care of all the details to try to get the players to execute an idea of the game on the field. The clearest example could be seen in the form of the tackle that was executed by Los Pumas for the first time and surprised opponents with its rugby league style, something that is not practised or seen in Argentina, which makes it more difficult to execute.
Obviously there are several things to improve, especially a cleaner and creating more offensive moves, but defences win championships and that went very well considering the quality of the teams that they faced.
The objective of participating in this tournament was preparation for France 2023 and if this is the starting point, Los Pumas are doing quite well. Not everyone travels to distant lands to play against teams well above their ranking and returns with a record of one game won, one lost and two tied. I am sure that many of the teams from the so-called Tier One nations will be very attentive in the group draw for the next World Cup and crossing their fingers so that Los Pumas do not get drawn with them.
Let’s celebrate this atypical end of the year. I wish you good luck and I hope that we will meet again soon.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Thanks mate and take care!!
Machooka
Roar Guru
How did England get away with that x 2!?! :shocked:
Machooka
Roar Guru
Apologies, Nobrain... late to this one! I'm so happy for you and your Pumas... to say you flew in the face of adversity would be an understatement. Youse done good, amigo. Bien, bien! :thumbup: Pity about the Matera v Maradona shyte... in all reality just shameful! :unhappy: Anyhoos, what a wonderful little reprieve from the real world issues that presently consume us all... but especially where you are. Go well amigo, and very much hoping 2021 brings some further joy your way. :happy:
Axel Morro
Roar Rookie
Ledesma talks about recuperate Puma's identity and it's an excellent point. The Puma's scrum and the forwards play were famous by years and Ledesma works for have it again at big levels. But my question is if it's possible to maintain the attacking skills, firmly showed by the Jaguare's backline at SuperRugby... The players are the same and their attacking capacities well known. The fact of have a defence based game plan wouldn't say they can't display high level back line's fantasy when tactically opportunities arrives... Thanks for the good article
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Great, I cannot wait!!! Ian sure you went into details where the simple eye cannot get!!!
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Good to hear from you Nobes - Pumas have had by far the best D in the Tri Nations this season, and they've been rewarded for it. Excellent. I'll be looking at some of it this week!
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Fair call Nobes! Cheers KP
Nobrain
Roar Guru
Thanks Riccardo, I do think they have potential but you never know, Argentina have the tendency os self destruct anything that start to build nicely . Lets wait and see, without a competitive SR we have to make sure that most of the player end up in good teams around the world until we find a competition.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Meritorious piece Nobes. Well done mate. Los Pumas were a revelation; that defense was as good as the Lions here, or Ireland in Chicago, and really found the All Blacks out. Attack remains a quandry but Cubelli's absence wasn't helpful. This team has real potential though IMO and remain by second team after the All Blacks
Gonzo
Roar Rookie
Good way of summing up a crazy year Nobes! Time to rest now, reflect and charge the batteries. 2021 is going to be another challenging year for Argentina’s rugby, as we are still looking for a competition for Jaguares ( or any other new team the Union puts together). Systems, training, a strong professional staff and influential veteran players working all together is starting to show in the way of results. I also think there has been a steady improvement in physical condition, and its showing. Will be interesting to see how UAR and the member unions adapt to the new challenges.
Nobrain
Roar Guru
To be fair the Pumas try came after a very good play from Ezcurra, but all around I think Cubelli is our first choice as a scrum half.
Tutema
Roar Rookie
Great piece as usual Nobes!!! It tells the story of a journey that has started and will continue for years to come.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
This team for next year or year after could be the real deal and challenge for the RChampionship.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
In the absence of my own team, I supported The Pumas... And they did not disappoint..
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I think their passion has meant thar they’ve always put something special into the tournament KP. Now they’ve added world class competitiveness on the field and were the equal of their opponents. We were lucky to have them and they can be very proud of their achievements. I hope that they can maintain and build on that level of performance.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Los Pumas has done really well this year, no two ways about that. Considering how poor Los Pumas/Jaguares set piece has been for a few years, it was very inspiring to see a lot of improvement in that area. Sure, the attacking play can be much better, but to get the attacking patterns and combinations flying, one needs time.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Excellent series Nobes. Pumas conquering of Everest proved to be no fluke. We were lucky to draw last night.
Merlin
Roar Rookie
I think you have to be in a tournament - not hiding at home - before you can criticize its level??
Wigeye
Guest
Well done pumas extremely impressive. So good for rugby where your at, Outstanding
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Harry When camera panned to a sidelined Cubelli, I could not help but think Pumas might have won both games if he was fit. Cheers KP