Pumas prepare for role as party poopers

Eighty thousand expectant Australians have been warned - Argentina are out to spoil your party.

Telstra Stadium will be packed to its rafters tomorrow as the Wallabies begin the defence of the World Cup with a meaty exchange against the Pumas, who have been allocated the role of opening night guests for the second tournament running.

Four years ago, Wales were just too strong and held off Argentina’s spirited challenge at the Millennium Stadium with a 23-18 win.

Scrum-half Agustin Pichot feels his side learned some valuable lessons that night though, which will stand them in good stead for the barrage they will face tomorrow.

“I remember coming out onto the pitch, looking up into the sky and watching four jets fly right over the stadium,” said the former Bristol star. “It was almost surreal.

“People were screaming and shouting and it probably took me 10 or 15 minutes to get over it.

“This time I will be ready. They could put a rocket into the air for all I care, I won’t distract my focus from the game.”

With up to 10 members of the squad set to retire once Argentina’s World Cup campaign is over, Pichot knows this represents the final opportunity for the current crop to leave a sizeable imprint on the world game.

After sealing a quarter-final berth four years ago, Pichot and his team would have been expected to do so again this time had they not been pitched into the worst possible group, containing not only the hosts, but also third-ranked Ireland.

It leaves the Argentines in the unenviable position of being forced to land a shock win just to repeat what they achieved last time, although with successive wins over France behind them, plus an encouraging performance in defeat to South Africa three months ago, they are not without hope.

In fact, such has been the paucity of Australia’s form during the same period, some are even suggesting Argentina should score their first win Down Under since 1983.

Pichot pours scorn on such talk. While he recognises the Pumas do have a chance of clawing the Wallabies’ eyes out, he also feels the desire for someone to upset the holders is the major reason why his team are being talked up so much.

“People always want to knock the best,” said the 30-year-old, who left Bristol for Stade Francais following the west country outfit’s relegation from the Zurich Premiership.

“Australia won the last World Cup so now everyone is wanting to bring them down. Really nobody cares about Argentina, people just want to see Australia lose.”

Coach Marcelo Loffreda has named an experienced side, with Pichot’s former Bristol half-back partner Felipe Contepomi named at stand-off ahead of Gonzalo Quesada.

Contepomi will take on the goalkicking duties but will need to replicate Quesada’s legendary accuracy if the visitors are to stand any chance of success, while the ferocious Argentinian scrummaging machine is sure to be fully engaged.

“We are starting to feel the nerves now,” said Pichot.

“The adrenalin is pumping up because we can see how much attention is being focussed on this game.

“We need to channel that energy properly and make sure our basics are correct.

“No matter what people say we are still the outsiders but our aim is to reach the quarter-finals again I would like to feel we can give a really good account of ourselves tomorrow.”