Why the momentum of the Jaguares has bolstered Argentina's World Cup hopes
When Group C was drawn for the 2019 World Cup, comparisons were immediately drawn with 2015’s Pool A which was infamously referred to as the ‘Pool of Death’.
The presence of England, much improved since their disastrous 2015 tournament, France and last time semi-finalists Argentina suggests yet again there will be a pool where a big name will fail in 2019.
In truth, however, a case for being called the ‘Pool of Death’ could be made for most of the pools in the upcoming finals in Japan.
Only Pool B looks reasonable straightforward for its top two seeded sides but even there, Italy should prove a much stronger opponent than in past tournaments. In Group A, Japan look a serious threat to Ireland and Scotland’s ambitions and Fiji could well edge out a shaky Australia or trouble Wales in Pool D.
This World Cup should be the most competitive tournament we have had, with more than two teams per pool looking capable of qualifying for the knockout stages and the smaller nations suggesting they will prove tougher opposition than some of the decidedly one-sided games they have previously participated in.
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Technically, Argentina are the third-seeded side in Pool C having had a poor few years since the last tournament. Realistically, however, they are starting to look much stronger than Les Bleus, whose ever-present talent can’t seem to break through the mire.
Meanwhile, after a difficult few years, Argentinian rugby is looking up and yet again peaking in time for the World Cup. The Jaguares made their first Super Rugby final after a brilliant season and Argentina are relaxing their selection policy on overseas players for the RWC, strengthening an already promising squad of players.
In Pool C, Argentina won’t be looking to cause an upset by beating France and finishing second. They already know they are capable of doing that. Instead, they will be aiming for both England and France, trying to top the group and earn an easier quarter-final. Can they do it?
Just a year ago, Argentina were being embarrassed on home soil by a young Wales team laying the foundations for their own success and had only beaten three sides (Georgia, Italy and Japan) in 23 matches. Those results led to inspirational former captain Mario Ledesma taking over from Daniel Hourcade as coach, with the latter saying “the players had stopped responding”.
Initially there was a response from the squad, with Los Pumas beating South Africa at home 32-19 and recording a first away victory over Australia, 23-19.
Their Rugby Championship faltered after that, however, and the autumn internationals were disappointing, although Ledesma declared it a learning experience, saying: “The goal of our tour was to breed a couple of new players, try new combinations and keep learning. We only started with the team four months ago and we are all learning, staff and players.”
Since then, the fortunes of the Jaguares have been transformed and that success, coupled with the change in Test selection policy, means Argentina enter the shortened Rugby Championship in the run-up to RWC 2019 a different beast.
The success of the Jaguares has caused some controversy this season, with opponents finally noticing that the franchise is intended to be a vehicle for the national side and is therefore stuffed with international players. Initially, the approach seemed to be flawed, with the franchise struggling and the national side essentially a jet-lagged club team.
Now, however, the policy seems to be bearing fruit, giving Ledesma a core of players comfortable with each other, having maintained their style against different high-quality opposition in various weather conditions.
The potential addition of players such as Santiago Cordero, Juan Imhoff, Facundo Isa, and Nicholas Sanchez to captain Pablo Matera, former captain Agustin Creevy, and flying backs like Emiliano Boffelli, Bautista Delguy, and Joaquín Tuculet means Los Pumas could be a serious side again in this World Cup.
Last time around they tore Ireland apart in the quarter-finals before succumbing to Australia in a thrilling semi-final. Since 1999, Los Pumas have only once failed to make the knockout stages, twice reaching a semi-final. Even allowing for a tough pool, they will be hoping to continue that tournament record in 2019 and they have the players to do so.
Despite a noticeable improvement this season, England have continued to struggle at times, letting leads slip against New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Wales. They also required their cavalry to overcome Japan.
Their stunning performance against Ireland in the opening round of the Six Nations and the depth of talent available to coach Eddie Jones means nobody will take them lightly. However, if Argentina play to their potential and overcome France in their first pool game, they will be targeting England by the third match.
Win that and they could cause an upset by topping the group, leaving England and France to fight each other for second in their final game. For many, that would certainly be an upset.
WATCH: Part one of Operation Jaypan, the two-part RugbyPass documentary series on what the fans can expect at this year’s World Cup finals in Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments