Sponsored by
Argentina to provide test of England's credentials
VIEWING Argentina as the easier of three matches in England's autumn campaign is more an attempt to look for something positive to say about Martin Johnson's men than it is about Argentina being a perceived weak link.
Weak the Pumas are not. They sit two places above England in the rankings after all, won on their last visit to Twickenham three years ago and finished third at the World Cup in France in 2007.
In Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe they have a versatile back rower generally regarded as one of the best players in the world, who is supported by a host of experienced professionals that have helped establish the South American country as one of the most formidable teams in the world.
Johnson's England beware. After defeat against Australia and with the All Blacks marching into headquarters next Saturday, there would have been far easier breakers than the Pumas at home.
But for a team to progress and develop – with the 2011 World Cup the primary goal – fixtures against the best teams in the world are the only way forward.
England has the Six Nations every Spring and a month of fixtures each autumn to hone their skills and develop a gameplan – even if that aspect remains sadly lacking.
The five other powers in the northern hemisphere have the same opportunities while the heavyweights from south of the equator who rumble through Europe every November – wreaking havoc through London, Dublin, Paris and Rome – are all fresh from a demanding Tri-Nations experience.
Although ranked sixth in the world, Argentina are the only International Rugby Board tier-one class nation without regular competition.
Today's trip to Twickenham marks the start of the Pumas' British tour with games in Cardiff and Edinburgh coming up in the next fortnight.
But aside from their own tours and the visits nations make to their shores each year, Argentina remain at a disadvantage.
Following their success in France two years ago, the clamour for them to be involved in an annual series grew, and after exploring the possibility of basing themselves in central Europe every Spring and swelling the Six Nations to seven, they were finally this year invited to take part in the Tri-Nations.
Their participation is set to begin in 2012 and is based on conditions being met by the Argentinian rugby authorities and the ratification of the Tri-Nations governing body, the SANZAR's broadcasters.
The sooner their induction into the Tri-Nations is given the green light the better.
Such a viewpoint is one shared by Juan Gomez, a 25-year-old prop at Leeds Carnegie who has played four times for his country.
"It would be really good for Argentinian rugby, particularly to be playing more matches against the big sides," said Gomez, who is with the Argentinian Development Squad this month in Europe.
"The European nations play a lot more matches than we do which prepares them better for the big tournaments.
"Playing against really good teams like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will be of a benefit because the more you play against these teams the more improvement you make."
Argentina have been on an upward curve over the past decade, causing shockwaves through the sport against pretty much every team, not least the 25-18 defeat they inflicted on Andy Robinson's England at Twickenham in November 2006.
"That game made a big impact in Argentina," added Gomez. "It helped the team believe it could compete against the top teams and also helped the sport grow back home. We play England again at the 2011 World Cup which is a good thing because a rivalry is growing."
Gomez, who made his loan move from Llanelli to Leeds a permanent one in the summer, hopes to be a part of the Argentina squad in New Zealand at the 2011 World Cup.
He made his debut two weeks after the momentous win at Twickenham when Argentina beat Italy in Rome.
He had to wait until June 2008 for his next caps in successive games against Scotland and then again Italy. Since then injuries have halted his progress but he is still in the mind of Santiago Phelan and his coaching staff as part of the development squad who have games against Ireland A and Portugal coming up, after today's match in Georgia.
"Hopefully if I play well I'll get the call up to my country's senior team again," said Gomez.
"It's just as important representing your country as an Argentinian as it is for an Englishman playing for England. Obviously it's better if it's the senior team but right now I have to work hard for the development team.
"We have a time difference of four hours so I'm hoping to see the second half of the game at Twickenham after we have played. It's going to be a really hard game but Argentina can win it. We are a good team with good players."
Johnson be warned.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Three-inch blanket of snow heading our way today
- Alan Shearer in list of favourites for Leeds and England jobs: Latest odds
- Barnsley’s Keith Hill invokes Fawlty Towers over link with Leeds job
- McCormack feels United search can be narrowed down
- Redfearn throws down gauntlet as queue builds at Elland Road
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
