NEW ZEALAND: RUGBY UNION: Argentina lock Patricio Albacete admits his Pumas team will need a flawless performance if they're to cause one of the biggest shocks in Rugby World Cup history by beating New Zealand in the quarter-finals in Auckland
Record ID:
446700
NEW ZEALAND: RUGBY UNION: Argentina lock Patricio Albacete admits his Pumas team will need a flawless performance if they're to cause one of the biggest shocks in Rugby World Cup history by beating New Zealand in the quarter-finals in Auckland
- Title: NEW ZEALAND: RUGBY UNION: Argentina lock Patricio Albacete admits his Pumas team will need a flawless performance if they're to cause one of the biggest shocks in Rugby World Cup history by beating New Zealand in the quarter-finals in Auckland
- Date: 8th October 2011
- Summary: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (OCTOBER 7, 2011) (REUTERS) AERIAL OF EDEN PARK IN SUBURBS OF AUCKLAND EDEN PARK INTERIOR OF EDEN PARK WITH ARGENTINA TRAINING IN PROGRESS REPLAY SCREEN INSIDE EDEN PARK SHOWING WORLD CUP TROPHY AND RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011 LOGO PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ARGENTINA TEAM MEMBERS TRAINING ON PITCH ARGENTINA PLAYER TYING BOOT LACES ARGENTINA HOOKER MARIO LEDESMA LYING ON PITCH WITH PROP RODRIGO RONCERO CAPTAIN FELIPE CONTEPOMI POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ARGENTINA TRAINING IN PROGRESS COACH SANTIAGO PHELAN KICKING BALL PLAYERS PASSING BALLS DURING TRAINING INCLUDING LOCK PATRICIO ALBACETE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARGENTINA LOCK PATRICIO ALBACETE SAYING: "We have to do almost a perfect match I think. We have to be very careful in not losing the ball, they are very good with turnovers, so we have to keep the ball and try and make our rhythm I think." CONTEPOMI PRACTISING GOAL KICKING PLAYERS AT TRAINING (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARGENTINA FLANKER JUAN MANUEL LEGUIZAMON, SAYING: "Every player in New Zealand is one of the best players in the world so he's (Richie McCaw) one of them, so it's going to be great to play against the best team. So I won't talk about one or the other one but the whole team, they are great players and we must enjoy the game. Because we don't often have the chance to play against the best." ARGENTINA TRAINING IN PROGRESS AERIAL OF EDEN PARK
- Embargoed: 23rd October 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: New Zealand, New Zealand
- Country: New Zealand
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA27NEBBQ5E7JCBVNF0ID30X02H
- Story Text: Argentina must produce a "perfect" performance if they are to beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals this weekend, lock Patricio Albacete said on Friday (October 7).
The Pumas finished third at the last World Cup and, having never beaten New Zealand, are rank outsiders to break the All Blacks' 17-year unbeaten run at Eden Park on Sunday(October 9).
"We have to do almost a perfect match I think," Albacete told reporters pitchside at Auckland's Eden Park, venue for the knock-out match.
"We have to be very careful in not losing the ball, they are very good with turnovers so we have to keep the ball and try and make our rhythm I think."
An Argentinian victory on Sunday would rank as the greatest ever World Cup upset with New Zealand overwhelming favourites, having romped through the pool phase scoring 36 tries in four games.
"Every player in New Zealand is one of the best players in the world so he's (Richie McCaw) is one of them so it's going to be great to play against the best team," flanker Juan Manuel Luguizamon added about the captain of the New Zealand squad.
"So I won't talk about one or another one but the whole team, they are great players and we must enjoy the game. Because we don't often have the chance to play against the best."
Argentina coach Santiago Phelan reverted largely to the side that dramatically beat Scotland in the pool phase for Sunday's match when he named his team on Friday.
The only change from the starting line-up from that 13-12 win over the Scots, is that number eight Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, suffering a tournament-ending knee injury to, is replaced at the back of the scrum by Leonardo Senatore.
Senatore played in Argentina's last pool match against Georgia and there are four changes from that team with prop Rodrigo Roncero, lock Manuel Carizza, winger Gonzalo Camacho and fullback Martin Rodriguez all restored to the side.
Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, whose converted try beat Scotland and effectively ensured Argentina's path to the knockout phase, returns to the replacements bench after starting at fullback in the disappointing 25-7 win over Georgia. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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