Argentina skipper Agustin Creevy said Friday the Pumas are ready to pounce on the Wallabies and win their first Rugby Championship Test on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
After three seasons and 15 matches, with only one draw to show for their time in the four-nation southern hemisphere series, the Pumas believe they are poised to upset the Australians.
Creevy said his team had learned from their defeats against powerhouses New Zealand and South Africa this season and are on the cusp of a historic performance.
We have had a lot of chances to win. Every match we can win, but tomorrow is a special day for us.”
The Wallabies have lost four times in 21 encounters with Argentina, but only once at home — 31 years ago when they fell 18-3 in Brisbane.
The Pumas are looking to their formidable forward pack, renowned for their scrummaging, to end their Rugby Championship drought.
Argentina looked set to break through last month when they led South Africa 28-16 with 21 minutes left in Salta but faded to go down 33-31.
It was the same story on the Gold Coast two years ago, up 19-9 with 20 minutes to go before losing 23-19, while Argentina failed to convert forward dominance in driving rain last season in Perth, when Australia held on to win 14-13.
Respect for Wallabies
Creevy said he has huge respect for the Wallabies, rating them even better now than when they blitzed his side 54-17 in Rosario last year, but claims his improved Pumas are far more confident and composed.
“We have grown up a lot and have confidence in our side,” he said.
“We have to have an excellent match for 80 minutes and concentrate for 80 minutes.”
The scrum battle between the front-rows, particularly at hooker where the returning Tatafu Polota-Nau goes head to head with Creevy, will be pivotal to the outcome.
Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper has predicted a high-tempo attacking game if forecast rain stays away, but he knows the home side also has to cope with the Pumas’ game of quick, short off-loads close to the ruck.
Hooper pointed to Polota-Nau, celebrating his 50th Test cap, as the man to fill the injured number eight Wycliff Palu’s role and lead the way in his return from a knee injury.
“Taf, like Cliff, is always able to make game changing plays, big tackles and great runs,” Hooper said.
“He’s really stepped up as a scrum leader (this week), and has definitely dominated the scrum and given it direction.”
The Wallabies squeaked home 24-23 with a last-gasp converted try over the Springboks in Perth last weekend and will be looking for a more clinical performance against the 12th-ranked Pumas.
“We’ve got some really good players to put pressure on (the Pumas) but they’ve defended well in their three games to date,” coach Ewen McKenzie said.
“You’re going to have to be accurate, that’s the one thing we want to improve from last week (against South Africa), it’s being a bit more clinical.
“There are subtle differences week to week but we’ve got a core game that works and everyone trusts, we just have to make sure we execute it a bit better.”
For who, he’s better than Jones, and, while he played very well there, I Don’t think Schmidt will trust Zebo at 15 at the business end of the pool stages
I don’t necessarily disagree with you, but why do you say Kearney is better than Jones?
Cian, I think it’s at this stage it’s based only on experience. Leaving that out, I think they’re possibly on a par.
Very much so
Kearney is better than Jones. He may not be playing well at the minute but apart from a dip in form for most of last season he’s clearly one of the best fullbacks in the world.
No coach has ever picked Jones ahead of him, he’s been on lions tours, won a grand slam, triple crowns and six nations titles as well as HC’s with Leinster, he also won ERC player of the year in 2012.
No doubting Jones is a good player and playing well but really he’s not in a on form Kearneys class
I agree with Chris.
Players aren’t robots they are human like anyone else.
Form is temporary but class is permanent.
Kearney will be at 15 for Ireland when it counts.
He’s clearly behind Dagg, Falou, Halpenny, brown, Le Roux, Hogg so consider your statement Chris. He’s not near the top.
as u said your self Kearney’s not in form! Going in the WC Would u prefer a form player playing out of his skin or a player who’s as u said was out of form all last season n his last world class game was 2/3 years ago
Going by current form, there is no way you can consider Kearney as being one of the best fullbacks in the world. It might not be nice to hear but he’s not that great and is living off his 2009 form. The man does nothing in attack, hasn’t been that dominant in the air and has never been great defensively. The best fullbacks in the world know how to run with the ball, step, pass. He’s a very rigid player.
He’s a better footballer, better in the air, more experienced and a good option for a drop goal. I like Jones but think Kearney is better. For the record I reckon Zebo would be a great option at 15 if Kearney isint doing his stuff
If you took an on form Kearney and on form halfpenny, then, aside from the kicking of halfpenny, I’d say Kearney is a lot better. But other than that I agree with you.
No way! halfpenny all day (kicking is really important BTW)
Kearney could be under pressure for the 15 spot
We’ll see how “mentally tougher” media darling Kearney is when Schmidt eventually drops him. Could happen in the next few weeks…
so bitter!
Pretty odd comment to make but each to their own.
It he carries over this lack of form from last season, he shouldn’t make the starting 15. Form players win theses tournaments
I am not pro or anti any province, I only give my honest opinion on players regardless of where they play their club rugby. Might I suggest lonestar that u take the blue tinted glasses off any call players on face value for the next 7/8 weeks
Philip you are without doubt one of the most anti Leinster trolls on this site.
I’m far from anti Leinster, maybe ur too pro Leinster to see it, I’ve a feeling ud like to have Shane Jennings in the back row
Philip you are getting embarrassing at this stage…you call it as you see it? All you seem to ‘call’ is the faults of any Leinster player in the Ireland set up.
I’ve been very critical of Kilcoyne & Hurley, I’m always saying I don’t think Matt Healy deserves as much praise as he gets and I’ve never rated touhy or cave as nothing more than journey men but caves last outing did impress me. Alex u seem to get hyper defensive when someone criticises a Leinster player. Do u think my criticism
of R.kearney is unjustified?
The majority of your comments on Leinster players are negative. It’s a trend noticed by many on the42 and I am by far sensitive. Kearney had dipped in form by HIS standards but I’d have him starting 15 everyday of the week over Jones and Zebo and I’m guessing Joe will pick him too ps he knows more that you and me.
As someone once said…I’m just calling it as I see it….
Kearney is 100% nailed on at FB so the majority of this debate is completely pointless. Get behind the team!
I agree with the majority of the comments about Kearney. He is desperately out of form. The only problem is we don’t have too many viable options. Joe doesn’t seem to trust Jones fully, while Zebo lacks experience, something that Kearney has in abundance and one of the reasons he is still in the driving seat. Experience will only keep him in the team for so long because on form he doesn’t merit the jersey. Zebo might turn out to be a fantastic full back but he needs to start there consistently for Munster. Kearney is a media darling, he is in the indo every second day, this is gonna make his fall even harder. let’s hope he recaptured some form in time for the world cup.
Shocking comments for the most part. Drivel.
Maybe the reason he is the starting fullback is because he has the full trust of Joe, whereas the other options don’t. Plus he know the systems and power plays inside out. If Ireland were playing one of the big teams tomorrow in a match that mattered, I know who I would want at fullback