'New' Pumas have high expectations
Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:31
Argentina may have arrived in South Africa, for their one-off Test against the Springboks, without a number of their most experienced player, but coach Santiago Phelan is confident his young charges can give the Boks a run for their money.
The encounter between the Boks and Pumas is mainly to celebrate former South African president Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday, but for the two teams it remains a full-blooded international.
Argentina are without inspirational captain Agustín Pichot, who retired, and flyhalf Santiago Fernandez, who had to withdraw after breaking his wrist playing club rugby, star No.10 Juan Martin Hernández and Marcelo Bosch, both injured, along with Tomas de Vedia and Gonzalo Tiesi, who were not released by their English clubs.
But Phelan remains confident that his team can give the Springboks a good match.
The Puma mentor admitted he has his reservations about the Experimental Law Variation (ELVs) and also the fitness of his Europe-based players.
However, he was in no mood for excuses when his team landed in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Addressing a media gathering upon the team's arrival Phelan said it was an honour to play against what they regard as the best team in the world and a benchmark to measure their young players against.
"We have a number of new players who are new to this level and we want to see they shape up to the Springboks," the Puma coach said.
"For us this is an opportunity to measure their standard and one can also only improve if you compete against the best.
"The Test is also important to us with our ambition to play in the SANZAR [South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby] competition [Tri-Nations].
"We want to do well against the Springboks. And of course any Test against South Africa is always important."
Phelan said that none of their 26 players has played under the new laws.
"We have however studied them thoroughly and have trained with the new laws, but South Africa will no doubt have an advantage in this respect."
Referee for the match, Wayne Barnes from England, will also have his first taste of the ELVs at Test level, although he will have a run under the new laws on Saturday when he officiates in the First Division match between SWD Eagles and the Pumas in George.
"We nevertheless expect to play a good game," Phelan said, "although our players from Europe are between seasons and perhaps not quite match fit. But we have prepared well, and have high expectations for the game."
The Pumas have their first two training sessions in South Africa on Friday and will follow this up with another two on Saturday before a rest day on Sunday.
