Jordie Barrett receives a tackle from Guido Petti at the end of the match. The Los Pumas defense was relentless. Photo: AFP
i saw inside The Cougars a tremendously positive attitude that they maintained with conviction until the end. The ones in black have been seen to be outdated and this is a huge step forward for players to continue to believe in their abilities. All taking into account that there is a new coach and that this is part of a path that ends with the 2023 World Cup. Starting like this is something extremely precious.
They have beaten Scotland, Australia and New Zealand in a few games played: this creates enormous confidence in the group. There are new faces, the base is expanding and they are all players who live and play professional rugby today. So, facing the 2023 World Cup, I insist, we are facing an excellent starting point. I also understand it for Michele Sheika It is a huge incentive.
At this level, however, there are always things to improve. As in life, you have to take the good things and learn from mistakes. Support the good guys and reinforce those points that may have remained in the red. I have no doubt that the coaching staff is already seeing it and that the players themselves have noticed it. However, I think the most important thing will be to maintain the strengths of the team which have been extraordinary. It was a match.
In the series with the All Blacks in 1985, we lost the first game and drew 21-21 the second. The truth is that in that context and in that moment having tied had a taste of victory. The feeling in those last five scrums, where our front row and last row were inside the ingoal and we rejected them. I don’t forget the face of that rival first line. It was awful. They felt really defeated, it was awful. And we felt powerful.
In the same year we beat France for the first time. The team felt winning and when you get historic matches at this level of competition, they help you move up to another level. Not to mention the current level of competition. Argentine rugby continues to grow and the team we have seen against the All Blacks proves it. There are still very young players with little experience and, nevertheless, they have shown their quality of play. So this win is flattering, it gives a handle to everything that comes. What they have achieved is very strong. And you can dream of many other milestones.
Diego Cash
Source: Clarin