This is the first Rugby Championship to take place in a World Cup year, since its expansion to four teams from the old Tri-Nations. That three-way tournament always took on a different complexion when rugby’s biggest prize was on offer shortly afterwards, with priority shifting to giving everyone game time rather than focussing outright on winning.
There’s no reason to think this year will be any different – first up in our series of previews are Los Pumas.
STRENGTHS
If it is slightly lazy to just point to the Pumas’ pack in the strengths section, it is so for a reason. They know it is probably the only area they boast an obvious advantage over the rest, with experienced prop Marcos Ayerza speaking in the build-up to the opening round of their desire to target the All Blacks’ scrum.
Ayerza has long been considered one of the best loosehead props in the world, and he has a stellar back up cast in the front five. Agustín Creevy is a hooker who has long saved his best form for the international arena, as Worcester fans will know to their detriment. Juan Figallo, voted tighthead of the 2011 World Cup, is a big loss but Ramiro Herrera is a readymade replacement who has deputised brilliantly in the recent past.
The fearsome pack will be tasked with engineering points-scoring opportunities for Nicolas Sanchez, who proved his class over the past year both in a brief stint at Toulon and in a match-winning performance for Argentina over France in their most recent test against a tier one nation, in which he kicked an incredible three drop-goals. He also finished as the top points scorer in last year’s competition.
WEAKNESSES
They simply do not possess the strike runners in the outside backs on the same level as the other teams in the Rugby Championship. In that regard, the loss of the languid but powerful runner Manuel Montero is a huge blow, after the young winger was ruled out with injury earlier this year. If their pack cannot dominate – as it likely won’t against the Boks, or to a great enough extent against the All Blacks – then they could be in trouble.
Consistency is also a problem; they impressed in unlikely wins over Australia and France last year – the former their first since joining The Rugby Championship in 2012 – but but a disappointing loss to Scotland, in which they leaked over 40 points, took the sheen off their progress somewhat.
Finally, in a gruelling few months of test rugby their strength in depth will be tested. Do they have the resources to deal with what is essentially four straight months of test rugby, just a few weeks after most of their players finished punishing domestic seasons in Europe? Time will tell, but injuries to key players have already taken their toll.
KEY PLAYER
Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe is about as passionately Argentinian as they come and, whether as captain or not, he will be an on field leader. The 61-cap veteran will have a job on his hands, however, especially if he is handed the number seven shirt – in a tournament that boasts such exemplary breakdown technicians as Richie McCaw, François Louw, Marcell Coetzee and David Pocock, he will have to be on the money at that most crucial of areas.
WORLD CUP BOLTER
Santiago Cordero already has seven caps to his name at the tender age of 21, which tells you a bit about the potential he undoubtedly has. He is an outside back in the mould of Shane Williams, a pocket rocket in an age when the flanks are increasingly populated by giants. Like Williams, he has a devastating sidestep, killer acceleration and the ability to change direction without slowing down. Even with Montero’s absence, he faces stiff competition for his place but if Argentina pick him and put him in space, he will undoubtedly cause problems.
Video credit: Arugby Star
PREDICTION
That victory over Australia in the final round of last year’s tournament will liberate them no end – they finally have that monkey off their backs. This year, in the watered down version that encompasses just three rounds, they will target another win – most likely in their only home game, which conveniently comes against Australia. Away trips to New Zealand and South Africa will surely be a bridge too far, and given they have rested several big players for their trip to Christchurch on the opening weekend, it certainly seems as though they are focusing on that game against the Wallabies. They may well beat them, but I don’t think any team will end winless, and it’s likely the Pumas would pick up the wooden spoon on points difference in that situation. Predicted finish: 4th.
Stay tuned over the next few days for previews of the other three Rugby Championship participants.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
As you know by now, we are hilarious, and you should be following us on Facebook and Twitter. 