Happy memories of New Zealand: Julio Farias
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Argentina flank Julio Farias says Saturday's clash with the All Blacks at Westpac stadium represents the Pumas' biggest challenge in the Rugby Championship.
The Pumas arrived at Wellington on Sunday after a 34-hour trip that included a six-hour delay in Buenos Aires and a transfer in Auckland.
"We are trying to get used to the time [zone] as soon as possible," Farias told Planet Rugby in an exclusive interview.
"We went for a little walk around the hotel this morning. The medical staff and the coaches are working on every detail so we reach the game in the best condition possible. But I don't think the jet lag will be a problem on Saturday.
The week before playing a game against the All Blacks in New Zealand can be stressful but Farias is taking things in his stride.
"Personally, I try to take it easily, try to be calm," he explained.
"The training sessions will be productive. In physical terms, we should reach Saturday in good condition. We should enjoy the occasion on the field as much as we can" he added.
Can Argentina beat the All Blacks?
"Of course we can," replied the Argentinean.
"When we play, we play to win. One thinks about winning, about defeating the All Blacks for the first time in New Zealand.
"We will put in our best effort. We obviously know it is the best team in the world. On one hand, we respect them. On the other hand, we will try to be disrespectful on the field," Farias told Planet Rugby
The Pumas will stick to their tried and tested game plan.
"We will try to be effective defensively as we have been doing. We will try to preserve that and improve it a bit," said Farias.
"Beyond that, we should be more active on attack. It is our weakness and the coaches have been working on that since the start of the season," commented Julio.
Getting a draw against the Springboks for the first time may turn things around for Argentina in the first Rugby Championship.
"It gives us much confidence and that is what the team really needs," explained the loose forward.
"It gives us a huge confidence boost to realise that we are not so far from the level that we are aiming for. Honestly I think the draw was very good."
Comments
cuw3100 says...
all teams need 2 major things to succeed in any sport.
1. the sports science
2. opportunities at the highest level
sports science helps to keep playes fit and ready both physically and mentally. even the best players at the peak of their powers fail to perform if the mind is not there.
if such players do not get a chance to play / go against the best in the world then they will never develop. that is the case with NZ cricket at the moment.
so for the Argentine team this is a great opportunity to play against the top RU teams and after a couple of seasons they will surely climb up the rankings.
Posted 04:43 05th September 2012
golden_statenba says...
@tweedledee49
Yeah he is probably waiting for a country to snap him up as being from Kenya they don't have a 15s team right? only 7s
I could see an english club offering him big money.
I know people go on about players not playing for their respective countries but this guy deserves a chance
Posted 17:20 04th September 2012
5Lock4ward says...
I think Los Pumas will have to wait a few more weeks for their first 4N victory but I believe they'll get 1 and maybe both against the Wallabies whose pack cannot hang w/ the Argentines.
Posted 14:08 04th September 2012
tweedledee49 says...
@Golden_statenba, that dude is a beast...had quiet game for Counties today but I hope he finds his rhythm soon...he seems like a promising young player. I watched the Counties game just to see him...lol
Posted 13:39 04th September 2012
APV1 says...
@ Lucasrg - Hear! Hear! It really jumped out at me when I read it. You need a bit of the mongrel about you in these matches and I think Arg will bring it.
Posted 13:12 04th September 2012
Lucasrg says...
Gotta love this quote:
"....We obviously know it is the best team in the world. On one hand, we respect them. On the other hand, we will try to be disrespectful on the field,"
Typical latin attitude!
Well when Argentina play their attacking rugby, mind you to watch again the game against France for the 3rd spot....ok it's not the same team, but sure this generation can apply for it.
As it goes for other countries "scrum might" mentality, I assure you that there is enough tv coverage, streamings and stuff that young ppl can watch and learn, and then practice at school or clubs. It's always then the coach's choice to play a certain way, and the few generations will be more willing to play attacking rugby then the last generations.
Posted 20:45 03rd September 2012
jmanngod says...
it is going to be a slaughter this weekend.
Posted 20:21 03rd September 2012
Golden_Statenba says...
Just saw this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnSt8AQJemk
Nz need to give him a citizenship and put him on the wing.
You have to wonder why South Africa have not?
Posted 19:11 03rd September 2012
GoWalesGo says...
They might develop a better attack but we won't see it for a couple of years. It's simply not in their culture at the moment.
Posted 19:04 03rd September 2012
melkdave says...
The pumas definatly need a better attack,atm they are hitting the defensive line singly rather than as a group.Given the line speed shown by the ABs so far ,in defence ,that could well be disasterous for the pumas.But then again even if they improve its hard to see a pumas victory.Although i feel it wont be a 40-50 point thrashing some are predicting ,The pumas arnt pushovers as they proved in the RWC last year against New Zealand and England ,A tight game i feel ,and a AB victory by 10-15 max most probable imo.
Posted 14:29 03rd September 2012
Craig says...
How does a team suddenly learn to be more attacking? Isn't it a cultural thing, from the junior rugby grades right up through the ranks? Isn't it something in your players' instincts? Can you really learn it over a few months?
I love the Argies, love them being in this comp, and I truly think they can beat the ABs on their day. But I don't think it will be by trying to play attacking rugby. THe Irish in Cch this year, the French in the RWC final. That's how to rattle the ABs. Stop them scoring tries and they get a bit messy. And the Argies can do that.
But they won't, I suspect. Dan Carter is too good. He'll find territory, he'll put Ma'a into holes, and ABs will score three tries at least. Argies won't win this one.
Posted 13:57 03rd September 2012
makemehappy says...
I'd focus on tackling if I was them - lots of it too!
Posted 13:08 03rd September 2012