Pumas aiming to 'contain' bullish Boks
Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:21
Cover: Argentina have readied their defence for a Bok onslaught
Argentina have been working hard on their defence during training this week, in anticipation of a new, expansive approach from the Springboks.
The Pumas feel that coach Peter de Villiers will encourage his Springboks to play a fast, running game, that will make them hard to contain.
Speaking at a media briefing, experienced fullback Bernardo Stortoni said the side was really looking forward to the encounter with the Springboks in Saturday's Mandela Tribute Test at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
The Pumas are immensely impressed by the Springboks, and feel the hosts as world champions now have more confidence than when they arrived in Paris last year. It is the Boks' physicality in particular that impresses the tourists.
"We will have to run at the gaps and avoid confrontation," said Stortoni.
"You don't want to run into them [the Boks]. We have huge respect for the Springboks," Stortoni said.
The Argentineans are a little concerned with the new laws under which all their team members will play for the first time.
"The new laws [Experimental Law Variations] will obviously give us a few headaches," the team's media manger Rafael Laria admitted.
"However, we have been training with them for some time now with a referee assisting us."
The organisation of their defence seemed to be a priority since their arrival.
According to their official website, the Pumas regard this as a key aspect of the Test as they see the Springboks as a side that continually tries to create opportunities.
Lots of attention was also given to the Pumas' lineout during training.
In Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha the Boks have probably the best line-out in world rugby. This prompted the Argentina forwards to spend two sessions on Tuesday analysing the line-out on video.
The Argentina side for the Test will be announced on Thursday.
SAPA
