THE TWO JUAN Martins have been central to Argentina’s success during this World Cup.
Back in 2007, Hernandez was the mercurial fly-half whose booming Garryowens and drop goals spearheaded the Pumas charge to the semi-final. Lobbe was the dashing all-action flanker in a pack containing gnarly customers such as Mario Ledesma, Rodrigo Roncero, Patricio Albaceto and Gonzalo Longo.
Now, the pair are the elder statesmen of this young and vibrant Pumas outfit. Hernandez has assumed the more subtle role of a playmaking inside centre while Lobbe is the calming influence in a pack brimming with raw potential and energy.
Former Pumas scrum-half Augustin Pichot said recently that the class of 2007 didn’t really know what they were doing during their ill-fated semi-final clash with South Africa in Paris.
You get the feeling this current crop are made of the right stuff. They have not appeared overawed at any stage of this process. Many casual observers may been surprised by the progress of this Pumas squad, but for the likes of Lobbe, it was always expected.
“I think there’s definitely a less of a surprise factor this time,” said 33-year-old Toulon flanker. “We have been playing four years in the Rugby Championship so it means we have already played seven times against the Wallabies before Sunday.
“It definitely gives us more confidence. We expect a little bit more now. We know what we are going to get on Sunday. Eight years ago, we were very excited and very happy but it was a rarity we were playing a team like South Africa.”
These are exciting times for rugby in Argentina. A second semi-final in three World Cup, a Buenos-Aires based Super Rugby in the offing, a thriving high-performance programme in the capital not to mention a stellar cast of youngsters that could be around for the next three World Cups.
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The talented locking pair of Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini are yet to turn 23.
It would seem that the Pumas are set to dine at the top table from now on.
“That’s the idea. A lot of people are working and planning to try to establish Argentina at this level,” Lobbe continued. “We know the phrase, ‘the difficult thing is not to get there, but to stay’, we want to stay there.
“We have a big chance with the franchise in Super Rugby, that’s going to give a lot pf players more competition, a lot of games together, basically the same team playing week in, week out. I think we’ll have the same mentality; we’ll stay humble, keep working hard. I can’t say we will always be here, but we will try to get there. It’s definitely going to be the objective from now on.”
Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe celebrates with his children after Argentina's win over Ireland. Mike Egerton / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Mike Egerton / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Henandez, who is heading back to his homeland to be a part of the new Super Rugby adventure, will line up against his former Toulon team-mate Matt Giteau in midfield at Twickenham on Sunday.
The pair both missed out on the 2011 showpiece. Hernandez due to injury; Giteau was fit and firing but was left at home after being snubbed by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
“It’s a big challenge for me playing against one of the best players rugby has ever had,” said Hernandez. “His skills are amazing, he can run fast, kick, pass and find the gaps. It’s going to be different this game compared to the game against Ireland in the centres.”
Hernandez will have Saracens centre Marcelo Bosch back alongside him this weekend. Bosch, who sat out the clash with Ireland due his one-match ban for a tip tackle against Namibia, has been reinstated at outside centre ahead of the unlucky Matías Moroni,
Schooled in the infamous Wolfpack defensive system at Saracens, Bosch will be crucial in containing the multiple threats in the Wallabies backline.
“I think Marcelo is a great defender,” added Hernandez. “He is the one that leads our backline defence. Matias Moroni did very well but Marcelo has experience and is important for me and the team. Australia has options outside and has good lines, with big ball carriers like Folau and Kuridrani, Marcelo is important to make the last decision.”
For a side that contains such youthful exuberance, but lacking experience, the cool heads of Hernandez and Lobbe will more important than ever at England HQ.
Martín Landajo, one of the many fiery customers in this squad, is all too aware of the importance of the Juan Martins to the Pumas cause.
“Oh very important. All the time they are the older guys, so we try to follow them and listen to them,” said the livewire half-back.
“But they also try not to be on top of us all the time.
“This matches what I said before, that everyone can be free, everyone can do what they want, and it’s not that they are all the time on top of us, telling us what to do and not what to do.
“So they let us free, but we always listen to them at the same time.”
The two elder statesman guiding a young Pumas side through the World Cup
THE TWO JUAN Martins have been central to Argentina’s success during this World Cup.
Back in 2007, Hernandez was the mercurial fly-half whose booming Garryowens and drop goals spearheaded the Pumas charge to the semi-final. Lobbe was the dashing all-action flanker in a pack containing gnarly customers such as Mario Ledesma, Rodrigo Roncero, Patricio Albaceto and Gonzalo Longo.
Now, the pair are the elder statesmen of this young and vibrant Pumas outfit. Hernandez has assumed the more subtle role of a playmaking inside centre while Lobbe is the calming influence in a pack brimming with raw potential and energy.
Former Pumas scrum-half Augustin Pichot said recently that the class of 2007 didn’t really know what they were doing during their ill-fated semi-final clash with South Africa in Paris.
You get the feeling this current crop are made of the right stuff. They have not appeared overawed at any stage of this process. Many casual observers may been surprised by the progress of this Pumas squad, but for the likes of Lobbe, it was always expected.
“I think there’s definitely a less of a surprise factor this time,” said 33-year-old Toulon flanker. “We have been playing four years in the Rugby Championship so it means we have already played seven times against the Wallabies before Sunday.
“It definitely gives us more confidence. We expect a little bit more now. We know what we are going to get on Sunday. Eight years ago, we were very excited and very happy but it was a rarity we were playing a team like South Africa.”
These are exciting times for rugby in Argentina. A second semi-final in three World Cup, a Buenos-Aires based Super Rugby in the offing, a thriving high-performance programme in the capital not to mention a stellar cast of youngsters that could be around for the next three World Cups.
The talented locking pair of Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini are yet to turn 23.
It would seem that the Pumas are set to dine at the top table from now on.
“That’s the idea. A lot of people are working and planning to try to establish Argentina at this level,” Lobbe continued. “We know the phrase, ‘the difficult thing is not to get there, but to stay’, we want to stay there.
“We have a big chance with the franchise in Super Rugby, that’s going to give a lot pf players more competition, a lot of games together, basically the same team playing week in, week out. I think we’ll have the same mentality; we’ll stay humble, keep working hard. I can’t say we will always be here, but we will try to get there. It’s definitely going to be the objective from now on.”
Henandez, who is heading back to his homeland to be a part of the new Super Rugby adventure, will line up against his former Toulon team-mate Matt Giteau in midfield at Twickenham on Sunday.
The pair both missed out on the 2011 showpiece. Hernandez due to injury; Giteau was fit and firing but was left at home after being snubbed by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
“It’s a big challenge for me playing against one of the best players rugby has ever had,” said Hernandez. “His skills are amazing, he can run fast, kick, pass and find the gaps. It’s going to be different this game compared to the game against Ireland in the centres.”
Hernandez will have Saracens centre Marcelo Bosch back alongside him this weekend. Bosch, who sat out the clash with Ireland due his one-match ban for a tip tackle against Namibia, has been reinstated at outside centre ahead of the unlucky Matías Moroni,
Schooled in the infamous Wolfpack defensive system at Saracens, Bosch will be crucial in containing the multiple threats in the Wallabies backline.
“I think Marcelo is a great defender,” added Hernandez. “He is the one that leads our backline defence. Matias Moroni did very well but Marcelo has experience and is important for me and the team. Australia has options outside and has good lines, with big ball carriers like Folau and Kuridrani, Marcelo is important to make the last decision.”
For a side that contains such youthful exuberance, but lacking experience, the cool heads of Hernandez and Lobbe will more important than ever at England HQ.
Martín Landajo, one of the many fiery customers in this squad, is all too aware of the importance of the Juan Martins to the Pumas cause.
“Oh very important. All the time they are the older guys, so we try to follow them and listen to them,” said the livewire half-back.
“But they also try not to be on top of us all the time.
“This matches what I said before, that everyone can be free, everyone can do what they want, and it’s not that they are all the time on top of us, telling us what to do and not what to do.
“So they let us free, but we always listen to them at the same time.”
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