Pumas hit by 'black wave'
Argentina captain Felipe Contepomi compared playing New Zealand to facing an unstoppable black wave as the Pumas bowed out of the World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland on Sunday.
The 2007 semifinalists bravely matched it with the world’s top team for 60 minutes before the All Blacks ground their way to a 33-10 victory to set up a much-anticipated semifinal next weekend with the Wallabies.
The passionate Pumas defended resolutely, slowed the All Blacks ball and were competitive in the set pieces to keep their try-line intact until 13 minutes from full-time before the home side finished with two hard-fought tries.
Argentina, who join the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks in next year’s expanded southern hemisphere Four Nations tournament, impressed the Kiwis with their tenacity and rugged technique.
“I think it was competitive for 60 minutes, then I think the All Blacks showed their magic and they won well,” Contepomi said.
“In the first 60 minutes we managed to control them but then they kept coming at us and that’s where the difference is between the two teams,” the centre added.
“When you play them it’s like a black wave coming over you and it’s hard to stop them. It’s hard to get the ball from them.”
Contepomi said the Pumas will grow into a strong team with the benefit of more matches against the top-ranked southern hemisphere giants of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand..
“That will come when we play more games and when we play every year against the best, the All Blacks and so on,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the future of Argentinian rugby because I think in the long-term it will grow and I think it will be great.”
All Blacks coach Graham Henry welcomed the prospect of the Pumas bolstering what was the Tri-Nations.
“It was a tough old game and Argentina played particularly well,” he said.
“They were good at the set-piece, they didn’t over-commit at the tackle and they slowed the ball down in the tackle which was crucial and they had plenty of numbers. They played very well and I think they deserve a lot of credit.
“I think they will be an asset in next year’s Four Nations. I think they will get a lot better because they will playing against three other quality sides each week and I think that will be great for Argentinian rugby.
“So as New Zealanders we are looking forward to them being involved in that and it will good for us and Argentinian rugby.”
Contepomi backed the All Blacks to win the World Cup, but said they’d face a fierce battle in their semi-final against Tri-Nations champions Australia at Eden Park next Sunday.
“Anything can happen in that game, they know each other very well and if there is one team that can compete against the All Blacks, it is the Wallabies.
“But in my opinion the All Blacks are the best team in the world.
“They are playing at home and they have already lost the last Tri-Nations.
“I don’t think they will lose again.
“What impresses me about the All Blacks is their physicality. They are very strong in the contact area and they play a very simple game but what they do, they do it really well.”
AFP
