By Greg Stutchbury
WELLINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) – The challenges are coming
thick and fast for Argentina as they continue to show they
belong with the southern hemisphere’s finest in the Rugby
Championship.
The Pumas earned praise after Saturday’s 21-5 defeat by the
All Blacks in which they held the home side’s fast-tempo game at
bay until the 66th minute when left wing Julian Savea crossed
for New Zealand’s first try.
Right wing Cory Jane then crossed in the opposite corner
some six minutes later to seal the win and ensure the All Blacks
remained top of the table half way through the competition.
However, Argentina offered a reality check for the hosts and
together with their 16-16 draw against South Africa in Mendoza
two weeks ago, they have already made a big impression.
Coach Santiago Phelan refused to get too far ahead of
himself though as his side turn their thoughts to a clash with
the Wallabies next week on the Gold Coast.
“This game gave us confidence because of the way the players
gave 100 percent and that is very important for us,” Phelan told
reporters. “We are looking forward to Australia …(but) every
game is different.
“We have to keep on improving because we are playing the
best teams in the world and we have to keep working to have a
good game.”
Argentina were admitted to the expanded Tri-Nations this
year after intense lobbying, following their third-place finish
at the 2007 World Cup, where they beat hosts France twice during
the tournament.
Continued…
