Argentina seek the Kiwi inside track
Argentina are hoping their Kiwi physical trainer Simon Fathers can help provide a special insight into how to pull off what would be one of the greatest ever World Cup shocks against hosts New Zealand in Sunday’s quarterfinal.
If the South Americans are to win their tussle at Eden Park and end their All Blacks hoodoo, having lost 12 and drawn one of 13 previous encounters, they will certainly need to pull something special out of the hat – but Fathers, who has been in his post since April, can give them a little insider knowledge.
And the 35-year-old from Hamilton says he will certainly not have any divided loyalties when the teams take the field.
“For me it’s not difficult to know whose side I’ll be on come Sunday. I am 100 percent behind these boys – they’re like family. I’ve had tremendous times with them.
“This is 100 percent my team and there’s no doubt or confusion as to which team I want to win – the Pumas,” Fathers told AFP.
Fathers doesn’t just want a win, however. He genuinely believes the Argentinians can pull it off.
“I believe we can beat them. I think we should be confident that we can beat them. And I believe we can do it. The Pumas have the preparation, the conditioning, the technique. They have to believe in themselves,” insisted Fathers.
“The All Blacks are beatable, definitely. They have much more pressure on them for this match than we do.
“That extra pressure is something we don’t have to carry on our shoulders. We just have to play our game to the best of our ability and if we do that we have a chance of beating them,” he said.
Fathers believes whatever the outcome such a test as that which the All Blacks will undoubtedly provide will be a boon for the Pumas’ experience and show their true level as they go up against the most powerful side in the world.
“The All Blacks play a very intensive game. They are all very quick and we have to come out with great intensity in our own game.
“It’s going to be a good test to see how we do going up against what is potentially the best team in the world,” Fathers concluded.
Among the Argentinian set-up Fathers has a unique insight into the All Blacks as he has previously worked with some of the current squad – including Mils Muliaina and Richard Kahui.
After the World Cup, Fathers says he plans to stick around with the Pumas for further encounters with his compatriots as the South Americans will from next year embark on new adventures in an expanded Tri-Nations, joining New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
AFP
