Pumas upbeat ahead of opener
The Pumas are in Group D with their northern hemisphere rivals, as well as make-weights Georgia and Namibia, but only two sides will make it through to the quarter-finals.
“The atmosphere in the squad is positive. We have had a lot of injuries but that’s in the past,” said skipper Agustin Pichot who is about to start his fourth World Cup.
The Pumas will open the tournament on Friday against France at the Stade de France under a cloud after losing winger Martin Gaitan because of heart trouble and full-back Jose Maria Nunez Piossek due to a thigh injury.
Adding to Argentina’s problems are two recent unconvincing warm-up matches which resulted in a 27-20 defeat to Wales and a 36-8 win against a scratch Belgian international side.
“They were just preparation games,” said prop Rodrigo Roncero. “We didn’t play well against Wales and Belgium but the coach was able to look at the players and see how the team was going. But the most important thing was that we were very good physically.”
Hooker Mario Ledesma said the team have prepared well for the opener. “We have worked differently. We had two weeks physical preparation in Florida in July. We said we would explode on September 7. I hope we will be proved right.”
Meanwhile, Australia have been swallowing a big piece of humble pie ahead of the World Cup by admitting that bitter rivals New Zealand are the favourites to claim the Webb Ellis trophy. Australia are the only country to have won the World Cup more than once, despite the All Blacks starting most tournaments as the overwhelming favourites. Coach John Connolly was not writing his own side’s chances off, but did admit that the All Blacks are the team to beat.
“All teams excluding the All Blacks have struggled away from home and remember we’ve won two World Cups away from home.
“It’s fair to say that the All Blacks probably deserve to be the favourites. We have four teams, the All Blacks, South Africa, France and us.”
Former captain George Gregan was happy to admit their near-neighbours are the top team in the world but he believes the tournament could be a lot more open than people think.
“The All Blacks are definitely the most consistent team but you have probably four or five other nations who have proven over the past few years they can beat each other and that they can beat the All Blacks,” he said.
“France is one of these teams. I put ourselves in there, as well as South Africa and Ireland. Wales are dangerous too, Argentina will be tough. England are there too.”
Wallaby fly-half Stephen Larkham pledged his club future to Edinburgh yesterday, denying he was in talks over joining French giants Toulouse.
The veteran playmaker, who is currently nursing a back injury in the hope of being fully fit for the World Cup kick-off is contracted to Edinburgh next season but rumours have linked him with other clubs.
“No, I’m still not in talks with Toulouse or with any other team at the moment,” he said. “We are still waiting to hear from Edinburgh so I’m still in contact with Edinburgh.”
Larkham’s future with Edinburgh seemed uncertain after the club fell out with the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU).
But last month the SRU regained control of Edinburgh Rugby and reached an agreement with the former franchise owners to stave off the threat of legal action from either side.
The club’s coach, Lyn Howells, was dismissed, with SRU head of player development Henry Edwards becoming the team’s interim head coach.
The agreement brought to an end a bitter dispute between the two organisations, which began with Edinburgh claiming they were due a substantial six-figure sum from the SRU in match fees.
All of which has left Larkham feeling a little insecure.
“I’m not sure what the situation is with Edinburgh at the moment so I can’t comment,” he said before adding that he was still hoping to join the club.
“We’ve worked very hard in terms of establishing our family in Edinburgh. That was a big challenge for us.”
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