Argentina assistant coach Pablo Bouza says people must forget perceptions about Pumas rugby and get ready for a team that has embraced a 15-man game.
The notion of a forward-obsessed side is out, he said, just as much as the idea that everyone in Argentina is obsessed with football.
Their opening World Cup game against the defending champions New Zealand on Sunday is being played on the hallowed football ground of Wembley, graced in the past by Argentinian sporting heroes such as Lionel Messi and Maradonna.
But the venue held no significance for the Argentinians devoted to rugby, the so-called “game made in heaven” who declared scant interest in the “beautiful game” of soccer.
“I’m not a football fan,” said replacement hooker Julian Montoya. And prop Lucas Noguera said he knew Wembley was a famous venue “but I know nothing about it.”
Bouza, who scored four tries in two matches when he played in the 2003 World Cup, said Argentina had evolved considerably since then when they were reliant on well-drilled forwards for success.
Memories of that era linger on and in the lead up to Sunday’s match the All Blacks have repeatedly spoken of how they expect a bruising forward battle where Argentina’s rolling maul produced two tries when they met in a Rugby Championship Test in July.
The All Blacks could draw nothing from looking at videos of their last match in Christchurch, which the All Blacks won 39-18, nor Argentina’s historic 37-25 victory over South Africa in Durban three weeks later, Bouza added.
“This team can do whatever, kick or run, it’s going to be a decision made on the field. We’re training for all options so tomorrow is going to be what happens in front of you.”
History has not been kind to Argentina against the All Blacks with one draw 30 years ago their best performance in 21 Tests.
When the two sides last met in a World Cup match, New Zealand beat Argentina 33-10 in the quarter-finals.