Pumas primed for final push

OVER the past two weekends we have been treated to some outstanding contests as the giants from the northern and southern hemispheres clash in the Autumn internationals.

Exactly one year on from the World Cup, it has been fascinating to observe the changes in style and personnel taking place as teams prepare for the next showdown in three years time.

It has become abundantly clear that the difference between the top professional sides and the second tier has widened.

Over the course of the past two weeks, Japan, Romania, the USA and Canada have all been subjected to humiliating defeats.

But at the other end of the scale, the margins that divide the top eight sides have narrowed significantly.

The other constant is that teams at the end of their season find it increasingly difficult to perform successfully on tour. The physicality of the modern game has led to a situation where teams playing in the 10th month of their season are operating on empty fuel tanks.

Last summer Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales all toured the Southern Hemisphere playing eleven tests.

The only victories recorded were when Scotland played Samoa and Wales against Argentina. In the eight tests played against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, none of the home countries tasted success.

Over the course of the last few weekends a similar pattern has emerged, with South Africa and Australia struggling badly. New Zealand only survived their visit to Cardiff by the narrowest of margins.

At present, the only time that countries meet on a level playing field in terms of preparation and peak performance is at the Rugby World Cup. It is the biggest single factor that militates against a Lions test series victory.

Inevitably at the end of a long season, injuries come thick and fast. By the time the Lions played the third test in Australia in 2001, eleven of the original squad were unavailable for selection due to injury. Undoubtedly, Clive Woodward will face similar problems next July.

With the Lions tour to New Zealand coming sharply into focus, the touring All Blacks are under intense scrutiny.

Nobody knows this better than Graham Henry. He has chosen to leave a number of established All Blacks at home with a view to have them fully rested for the forthcoming series. It also affords him an opportunity to blood a number of promising young players. It almost cost him dearly in Cardiff last weekend.

The New Zealand forward unit was put to the sword by an ever-improving Welsh front five.

Serious question marks remain over New Zealand in this sector.

Yet with the likes of Kees Meeuws, Keith Robertson, Johnno Gibbs and Xavier Rush currently being rested, Henry is willing to gamble in the short term.

In my estimation, only three of the New Zealand pack that started against Wales - hooker Kevin Mealamu, Chris Jack and Richie McCaw - will be in the starting lineup for the test series against the Lions.

Undoubtedly the performance of the last weekend was Argentina’s victory over Six Nations champions France in Marseilles.

The French always viewed this venue as their spiritual home and have been unbeaten there for 55 years.

What was even more significant is that Argentina were short a number of frontline players - including the outstanding Stade Francais full back Ignacio Corleto, second row Fernandes Lobbe and the former captain Lisandro Arbizu.

The key factor in their victory was the fact that 11 of the Argentine squad now play their rugby in France.

For them, the intimidating atmosphere on offer at the Stade Velodrome was neutralised by their familiarity with the surroundings.

The other significant factor is the improvement that has taken place in the quality of Argentine back play.

The power of Argentina’s scrum is well known to international opposition and their forward play in general has always been of a consistently high quality. Yet the introduction of talented new young players like Biarritz centre Martin Aramburu and exciting wingers Lucas Burges and Hernan Senillosa has added a further dimension to their game behind the scrum.

Argentina’s decision to partake in the World Sevens series has helped to develop the skills of these young players and they are now reaping the benefits from this.

Last year, Ireland and Argentina met in the pool stages of the World Cup in Adelaide. It was the most tension-packed game that I had seen for some time.

Both teams were scared of their lives to lose. In the end, Ireland’s one point victory dumped Argentina out of the competition.

Saturday’s test should be a far more open encounter.

While it is still three years away, both coaches will be mindful of the fact that once again they are paired together in the pool stages of the 2007 World Cup.

Given that France will also be playing in the group, Ireland have once again been consigned to the “group of death.”

With the majority of the Argentine players performing in the Northern Hemisphere, this squad will not be affected by the fatigue that has affected the other Autumn touring sides.

As a consequence, this test could be even more competitive than Ireland’s clash with South Africa.

Given the manner in which the Puma forwards handled the mighty French pack last weekend, Ireland will be in for another severe test up front. I am sure Eddie O’Sullivan wouldn’t have it any other way.

At the conclusion of business on Saturday evening, O’Sullivan will have a clear picture on the health of his squad as they enter the pre-Six Nations phase.

To date they have passed every examination presented to them.

But Argentina may provide the stiffest test yet.