Argentina duo doubtful for World Cup

Gonzalo Longo and Jose Maria Nunez Piossek are a doubt for Argentina’s opening game of the World Cup against France on September 7.

Longo did not start in the Pumas 36-8 win against Belgium XV on Saturday as he had some pains in his left thigh with fears he has possible suffered a muscle tear.

Nunez Piossek, meanwhile, picked-up a groin injury during the last warm-up friendly and is likely to be a more serious injury than Longo’s.

The medical staff began to feel worried about the duo and Argentina doctor Mario Larrain told Ole.com.ar: “We are following their progress very closely.

“They have muscular injuries.”

The Pumas still have time to substitute one or both of them in their World Cup squad list, with Genaro Fessia the likely candidate to replace Longo and Francisco Leonelli or Marcelo Bosch fighting for Piossek’s spot.

Meanwhile, lock Patricio Albacete believes France will prove to be a formidable opponent when the two meet in Paris next month.

“We’ll try to keep control of the ball and focus on hurting them,” he said.