Pool B preview: England v Argentina
In 2007, the Pumas had their best time ever at the Rugby World Cup, as Augustine Pichot led, they twice disposed of France, the employer of so many Argentinians.
This time they have to face England in their opening RWC match and it will take a massive physical effort for them to get past the big, hard English side.
One speaks of the physical effort as both sides are best at being physical.
Physicality is almost the basis of the Puma game – the tough scrum, the rough maul, but traditionally there has not been too much beyond that but the boot. Physicality is also England’s strength plus Jonny Wilkinson’s boot and perhaps more creative loose forwards and backs.
In fact, Felipe Contepomi’s 2011 side dopes not seem to have the same power as Pichot’s 2007 side but there will still be the passion and pride that Pumas bring to rugby.
Just watch the tears roll down Mario Ledesma’s face at the anthem and see the relish that Rodrigo Roncero brings into contact.
One thing is sure – not a Puma will give less than his passionate best and in the English they will meet a determined team of fighters unwilling to yield an inch, as you would expect from a team coached by the great Martin Johnson, a World Cup-winning captain in 2003.
Players to Watch:
For England: Don’t you always enjoy Jonny Wilkinson – veteran now but as committed and skilful as ever. And you will want to see what all the fuss is about with the new young man from Samoa in the centre – Manu Tuilagi of the great rugby family. Then there is slippery Delon Armitage and, perhaps above all, Chris Ashton and Ben Foden out on the ends, both men who can beat a man and run in tries.
For Argentina: Of the Pumas, Felipe Contepomi, the skilful veteran of so many great rugby fields, is the man best to direct play and energies. And watch that front row of tough men.
Head to Head: Jonny Wilkinson versus Felipe Contepomi, boot v brain, though that is an oversimplification. Juan Fernandez Lobbe v Nick Easter – furious but not fast No.8s. They are likely to come into serious contact.
Recent Results:
2009: England won 16-9, London
2009: Argentina won 24-22, Salta
2009 England won 37-15, Manchester
2006: Argentina won 25-18, London
2002: England won 26-18, Buenos Aires
2000: England won 19-0, London
1997: Argentina won 33-13, Buenos Aires
1997: England won 46-20, Buenos Aires
1996: England won 20-18, London
1995: England won 24-18, Durban
Prediction: It may be harder than many people think but England to win by points 10 or more.
The teams:
Argentina: 15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Gonzalo Camacho, 10 Felipe Contepomi (captain), 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe, 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Mario Ledesma, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Martin Scelzo, 18 Mariano Galarza, 19 Alejandro Campos, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Marcelo Bosch, 22 Juan Jose Imhoff.
England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Mike Tindall (captain), 11 Delon Armitage, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Nick Easter, 7 James Haskell, 6 Tom Croft, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Louis Deacon, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Steve Thompson, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 Tom Wood, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Matt Banahan.
Date: Saturday, September 10
Kick-off: 20.30 (08.30 GMT)
Venue: Otago Stadium, Dunedin
Expected weather: There is a 30 percent chance of rain with a high of 15°C, dropping to 6°C
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France), Simon McDowell (Ireland))
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
