posted Oct 20, 2007

Argentina, you were "magnifico" and what romance you brought to this world cup. Thanks for that and now you have the absolute right to call yoursleves a rugby power. ˇMuchas gracias Los Pumas para todo! ˇNos vemos,otra vez, en 2011ˇ

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posted Oct 20, 2007

The Pumas have been outstanding entertainment. If one of the high ranking IRB board members does not take advantage of this special moment and invite them to an annual competition, then the IRB board ought to resign as they do not have the best interests of the game at heart. DO SOMETHING AND DO IT NOW!

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posted Oct 20, 2007

"I worry that the argentinians wont be able to sustain it in future world cups. Without a professional league home grown talent will have to look abroad to better itself and the current players playing abroad may not be around for the next tournament."
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I wouldn't worry too much, their players are in the European leagues these days and that is why they have come on so much. Of course they will need to set up a league of their own at some point, but for the moment our clubs seem happy to scoure the world for Talent.

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posted Oct 20, 2007

This game was very exciting but the result was influenced to a large extent by the worst refereeing performance of the tournmant. Argentina's pack set out to intimidate the French from the beginning and Paul Honnis let them get away with murder. Persistent collapsing of mauls (particularly the last 10 mins of the first half), coming into the side of rucks and countless cheap shots off the ball made for a horror show that leaves the 3 officials in disgrace. Argentina have been a breath of fresh air in this tournament but if they pull out the same tactics as last night against more formidable packs then we will see a return to the violence that marred the game in previous years. France tried to play rugby last night but it's difficult to draw a man and give a pass when you risk having your jaw smashed by late tackles. Given the tough stance taken by the citing commissioners throughout this tournament, it will be a tragedy for the game if the IRB buries it's head in the sand and doesn't call to account several players from Argentina for foul play.

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posted Oct 20, 2007

The six nations would be a better tournament with Argentina in it - lets get them in! The best idea I've heard is for them to play their matches in Spain.

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posted Oct 20, 2007

That is what rugby is all about. The heart and soul put in by argentina was phenomenal. That was the game of the tournament. We do need Argentina in the six nations because rugby would be so much more exciting with them.

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posted Oct 20, 2007

This will be the first tournament in which everyone will actually remember who came 3rd. Most people don't care about it, but to be honest, the 3rd/4th place play-off is usually the best and highest scoring match of any tournament (not just in rugby but in football too) This is because the players have nothing to lose and are more relaxed. what we saw was a more adventurous running game and therefore, 6 tries in total. Honestly, i can't see robinson and habana being given enough space during tonight's final to amass 6tries between them!

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posted Oct 20, 2007

ON Argetina's future. Failing an inclusion to a major tournament, maybe they would be best creating a pro-team to be entered into the Super-14? Although even this is unlikely to happen seeing as both the 6 and trinations are adamant that they don't join their tournment. In my opinion, the tri-nations has to stop being elitest and allow the only other strong southern hemisphere team to enter. After all, the top two teams in said tournament underperformed somewhat didn't they?

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posted Oct 20, 2007

I´m not sure we should play in the 6 Nations, the original "core" of rugby union... I´ve read many arguments that Argentina needs a professional local league to sustain competitivity...They might be right, but the passion and love for the game that we brought to the WC is precisely because we don´t have the wealths of a professional league. In Argentina we play rugby because we love it and to defend the colors of our shirts (usually a neighbourhood or university related club)... I think that a bit of those will do great for the 6 Nations, until we lose it (like most of you) to professionalism... There is no perfect world, and not all of us Argies want the Pumas in one of the big tournments. Some of us are quite happy in keeping on playing for the beers and bragging rights at home, and every so often be given the opportunity of "washing the face" of the rugby powers of the world... Shame the draw didn´t put us in front of the All Blacks...that would have been the game of the century...
Thanks for the congrats and words of support. They are really appreciated and needed...but now... GO ENGLAND (have English wife and sons and a little bit of resentment for SA having kicked our butts...).
The best to all (from a happy Argie)

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posted Oct 20, 2007

It makes me wonder what might have happened if they'd played such an open game from the start. They have some real world-class backs and a pack that can match any on its day, but even though the Argentinians won their earlier matches I found it frustrating when their forwards were really on top that their first instinct would be to attempt a drop-goal. Perhaps they've been watching England too much.

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