Loffreda slams organising committee

Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has again blasted the World Cup organising committee.

The Pumas play their third pool match at Aussie Stadium tomorrow against Romania just four days before their make-or-break tussle with Ireland in Adelaide.

Loffreda has already voiced his discontent with his side’s cramped fixture and has re-stated his argument after making six changes to the team which beat Namibia last weekend and taking the novel step of appointing his third different skipper in as many games.

“We have two games in four days, it is not long enough,” he said.

“We were supposed to be the seeds in the group and the way the fixtures have worked out favours Ireland. Maybe it is because we are regarded as a second rate rugby nation, but it is not right.

“If we had seven days to prepare for Sunday’s match like Ireland have we might do things differently but as it is, we have to use our resources in the best way we can.”

So far, only number eight Gonzalo Longo is a fitness concern for the Ireland encounter with inflammation of his Achilles tendon. However, all that might change tomorrow as Loffreda is expecting a rough, physical battle with a Romanian side anxious to impress after their 90-point hammering by Australia at the weekend.

“We know they are going to be very physical and that they have strength in their forward pack, so we know we will have a strong battle there, that is why we have chosen this team,” he said.

“When a team suffers the kind of defeat they did to Australia, you never quite know how they will react.

“But I am pretty sure they will be trying to get their pride back and that alone will make it difficult for us. Hopefully though we can win the game and get through without any injuries.”

Significantly, Mario Ledesma, who under-performed badly in the tournament opener against Australia, is named as Pumas hooker, suggesting former Northampton front-row Federico Mendez is being held back to face the Irish.

Like Mendez, experienced half-back duo Agustin Pichot and Gonzalo Quesada have been allocated bench spots just in case the game does not go as Loffreda plans.

The Pumas boast a 100% record in their six encounters with Romania, although the pair have not met since 1998 when Argentina scored nine tries in a 68-22 romp.

Romania’s leading try-scorer Gabriel Brezoianu switches to full-back from his usual wing berth as Danut Dumbrava misses out with a shoulder injury, while flanker Marian Tudori and wingers Ioan Teodorescu and Mihai Vioreanu are introduced for the first time.