Blair out to silence the crowd

Scotland captain Mike Blair is hoping for the silent treatment from Argentina's fans in Saturday's second Test in Buenos Aires.

Scotland captain Mike Blair is hoping for the silent treatment from Argentina's fans in Saturday's second Test in Buenos Aires.

The Edinburgh scrum-half has noted how the Pumas' normally vociferous supporters were left dumbstruck when the tourists led 15-10 in the first Test in Rosario.

Argentina hit back to win 21-15 but it was only when their heroes went ahead that the fans regained their voices.

Blair believes keeping the crowd quiet could be crucial to Scotland's chances of squaring the series.

“The Argentinian fans are more like football fans,” said Blair.

“They were more silent when we were 15-10 up [in the first Test], but then were really passionate when they took the lead.

“We have to prevent that from happening because the players feed off the crowd.”

Blair is confident his side can upset the odds against a side seven places above them in the world rankings.

“We have proved that we can win,” he said.

“Argentina's performance was impressive for a team that only got together a week before and we have some young players like Ben Cairns, who had his first cap.

“We are using these games not only to develop players, but also to improve our position for the ranking thinking in 2011 World Cup seedings.

“They [Argentina] are a very strong squad and deserve to be third in the ranking. We are 10th and we thought that the game last week was a very even contest. I think that we have to aim high if we want to win.”

After the weekend defeat in Rosario, Frank Hadden's squad has been training in order to limit the Pumas' potency in the contact areas.

In Wednesday's session at GEBA club, Hadden continued to field two 15-man sides and also worked in separate groups to improve both attacking and defensive plays.

Blair believes coping at the breakdown is the squad's major weakness and that is something to be worried about ahead of the clash at the Jose Amalfitani stadium.

“We have to improve in the breakdown. They were much better than us at that and we have to work hard to not let them repeat that,” Blair said.

“If they get their own way again, they will make it extremely hard for us.

“But it will not be easy because they have got players in the back like [Felipe] Contepomi and [Juan Manuel] Leguizamon, who are really good game breakers.”