ARGENTINA

News | Profile | Anthem | Fixtures | Results

Argentina to press their claim

Friday 01st August 2008

Life through a lens: Argentina have a chance to impress against South Africa

Argentina will, according to coach Santiago Phelan, use next Saturday's Test against South Africa to further stake their claim at a regular spot in the Tri-Nations tournament.

Phelan's 26-man squad includes nine of the side who lost to South Africa in the 2007 World Cup semi-final, although they will be without several first-choice players due to injury, retirement and club commitments.

The likes of Gonzalo Longo, Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe and Omar Hasan are among those who have quit international rugby, whilst star fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez is missing through injury.

"This game is very important not only because we hope to be involved in the Tri-Nations in the future, but because each time we play South Africa it is very important," Phelan told the press.

"We are looking forward to playing more tests in the year and this is a very good opportunity for us. If you play against the best, it will make you improve and that is the reason we came here for this very exciting and important game.

"We have brought the best players we have, some of them have recently finished their seasons in Europe, and we have a lot of expectations. We expect a good game."

Argentina will come into the game a little rusty, having only played three games since the World Cup, whilst South Africa on the other hand have played Wales twice as well as three games in the Tri-Nations.

Hooker Mario Ledesma, the Pumas vice-captain, said he hoped the team would be able to move forward from their third-place finish in the World Cup.

"The perception of Argentine rugby maybe grew a bit after we finished third at the World Cup and now we are trying to construct a team and we will try to give the Springboks a hard fight," said Ledesma.