Ahead of their clash with the Wallabies, we look at what we've learned from the Pumas

By Antony Pinshaw FOX SPORTS

With Australia set to face Argentina in The Rugby Championship for the very first time, we review what we’ve learned from the Pumas’ performances in the tournament so far.

They belong at this level

Many thought it would take several years for the Pumas to consistently match it with their fellow Rugby Championship sides.
Even the most ardent fan would be surprised by the speed with which Argentina have adapted to the higher pace and quality possessed by South Africa and New Zealand.
They certainly haven't looked out of place in the tournament, as many would have expected. A draw and two hard-fought losses attest to that.
As recently as last week, the Pumas matched it with the All Blacks for an hour before eventually running out of puff.
Make no mistake - these guys are a quality side and will never present a straightforward task, even when playing away from home.

They are still extremely physical

While the overall quality of Argentina’s performances might have caught some off guard, few would have been surprised by the physicality shown in their three games thus far.
Strong forward play and an emphasis on set pieces are as Argentinian as a good steak, and you can be sure the Pumas’ appetite for the rough stuff won’t diminish on the Gold Coast.
The likes of veteran prop Rodrigo Roncero, who scored a try from close range against the All Blacks last week, lock Patricio Albacete and captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe will relish the confrontations with their opposite numbers, and the Argies have already stated their aim to target inexperienced scrum half Nick Phipps.

They can score tries

The common thinking among rugby experts is the aforementioned physicality comes at the expense of expansive play, and more specifically, tries.
This isn’t entirely true.
Juan Martin Hernandez is a world class fly half, and he has enough pace outside him to potentially cause problems for opposition backs.
Argentina scored one try against New Zealand in Wellington - one more than the Wallabies scored in their last clash with the All Blacks - and the Pumas’ 16-all draw against the Springboks was one try apiece.
These are obviously not breathtaking numbers, but with the trend in international rugby now very much defence-focused, the Pumas’ potential to cross the line is not much lower than just about any international side bar New Zealand.

They’ll do anything – ANYTHING – to get a result

When the Wallabies say they’re pumped up for a particular fixture, or they’re ready to play at 110 per cent, you might take it with a grain of salt.
The Pumas aren’t as prone to such statements. Things like playing with passion and never giving up are the norm, rather than the exception.
Sometimes this passion can go slightly overboard - the Pumas’ disciplinary record doesn’t make for pretty reading, and accusations of everything from cynically slowing down play to eye gouging are never far away.
But in general, the pride shown in the blue and white jersey is admirable, and when Pumas players say they’ll do anything to win for their country, you know they mean it.

They still have to keep things tight. As good as their defence is, if the game breaks down NZ and Australia will kill you. They have done really well to minimise those scenarios but have to keep their concentration in the dry.

We've learned that their one on one defence is possibly the best in the world. Good players run at weak shoulders. There are none in the Pumas. They can still smash you even when off balance and more importantly keep you behind the gain line.

Australia are without leaders and this is a golden chance. Unless their unorthodox players shine this could be the Pumas' first win.

Can't wait to see Hernandez on a dry track showcasing his skills. But be careful what you wish for in opening the game up. The Pumas are great at playing with no space and recuding it. But there are cases where space will be created and Argentina aren't as good at exploiting it as the others.

Hopefully Carter plays at La Plata. Him vs Hernandez=worth the price of admission. How good was his banana kick on the weekend?

Aus and Sa aren't great but the Agries are holding thier own and the fact that there is talk about the Agries going for a win in Oz says what a good 4Ns they're having

Hope they get a win

Brendan wrote:Aus and Sa aren't great but the Agries are holding thier own and the fact that there is talk about the Agries going for a win in Oz says what a good 4Ns they're having

Hope they get a win

Going by results so far NZ aren't that great either.
NZ in Arg will be great - if we aren't firing I can imagine Arg doing something that many teams have never done or haven't done for a while - beat the ABs

Have to think big Nganboy- 21 straight by years end...thats all you need to focus on...

Overall this Rugby championship has not produced much champagne moments.

SA and OZ are unsettled, players aren't in form, the all Blacks haven't clicked yet and Arentina has been able to grind teams down with their physicality.

Careful Argie fan. These hacks in 'news' organisations will turn on you the second things look like they're going pear shaped or they have a whiff of controversy.

When they're talking up your nation's side it is all well & good, and by all means Argentina have been raising eye brows with most Rugby fans around the world, but don't over look areas for improvement. This is a puff peice designed to stroke ego's, it is not even trying to be remotley analytical. Take this peice with a shovel of salt.

In case you haven't guessed i dislike most sports 'journalists'. 90% of them are Bludy hacks. As an Englishman i talk from experience, even our national 'news' organisation has strung out players and managers to dry the second they feel like it, or it is a slow news week - Have some of them deserved it? Yes. Most haven't though.

I think the one main thing that is holding the Pumas back (there are a few minor things like inventive backplay but you can win games without that) is fitness and concentration. I think if the Pumas has an extra 15minutes in them they would do very well and would have beaten S.Africa. I think their bench could be stronger in places too.

Very proud of them so far though

For all the talk of the 6nations being a stodgey affair with a lack of quality in comparison to the Rugby Championship, I have to say so far I havent seen a big difference in either hemispheres competition....

I'd be surprised to see the Argies pick up a win over NZ at home, whilst they've definitely justified their place in the competition, I think that would be stretching it for the current team. In a couple of seasons, I think we'll really start to see the home advantage coming in to play for the Argies and no side in the world will be looking forward to travelling to South America.

But in a nutshell, they've surpassed the majority of expectations in the result against SA and their performances throughout the comp so far. If they keep up that form it will be a great start to this new dawn for argentinian rugby.

I'm already looking forward to the game against Wales in the Ais.

Aus look listless at the moment and shallow in depth. Perhaps time to splash the cash and raid the NRL, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis......... put them at Fb and build a team around them............

nganboy wrote:

Brendan wrote:Aus and Sa aren't great but the Agries are holding thier own and the fact that there is talk about the Agries going for a win in Oz says what a good 4Ns they're having

Hope they get a win

Going by results so far NZ aren't that great either.
NZ in Arg will be great - if we aren't firing I can imagine Arg doing something that many teams have never done or haven't done for a while - beat the ABs

Nope NZ haven't had to pull themselves out 3rd gear yet.......... no ones really put it up to them since France in the WC final and maybe Ireland in the 2nd test. That said I'm sure they felt the effects of some savage Argie tackles last week - call me old fashioned but I really enjoyed that game!

Disney, that banana kick was top drawer. Hoof it 15 mtrs in field and then let the swing of the ball do it's work to land it an inch inside the line. Perfect.

disneychilly wrote:... How good was his banana kick on the weekend?

Here is a link to Hernandez banana kick video:

http://www.unionsportsmag.co.za/juan-martin-hernandez-banana-kick-extraordinaire/
Enjoy it!

I remember Grant Nisbett calling it "Lionel Messi stuff". Great and appropriate analogy-and nice for the Kiwis to see what El Mago could do. Sadly it was a bad night to showcase what he had and that was the only bit of ridiculous skill that he was able to exhibit. La Plata should offer more weather wise.