Pumas backing scrum weapon
Comments
0
Argentina Prop Marcos Ayerza is expecting a traditional dominating scrum performance when they clash with the All Blacks on Saturday.
The scrum is an area where the Pumas have been powerful over the years and 32-year-old Ayerza said the Argentines "pride ourselves on the scrum".
The Leicester Tiger prop forward, who is approaching his third World Cup tournament, said the scrum gave the Pumas a lot of momentum.
"We feel we can be dominant there," Ayerza told stuff.co.nz.
"But the All Blacks are always tough in every area of the game and their scrum is one area that's very tough. Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Dane Coles are all very experienced, tough players in their position.
"I think the All Black scrum is very good. It will be a great test for ourselves to see how we are going. We will try to have a good contest there and build our game from there."
If Ayerza cracks the nod to start at loosehead for the Pumas, Franks – the All Black tighthead, could be in for a long day in the engine room.
Ayerza tips in at 110kg, 7kg smaller than Franks. But he gave Toulon's Martin Castrogiovanni, his former Leicester team-mate, a lesson in the European Champions Cup this season.
Castrogiovanni, who plays for Italy, is widely regarded as the best scrummaging tighthead prop in the world.
Ayerza has laid down the challenge to beat the All Blacks in Christchurch.
"It is always an historic moment for each player who puts on the Argentina jersey to be in the first team to beat the All Blacks. That challenge is still there for the grabbing."
Source: Stuff
ADVERTISEMENT
