Argentina XV know that if they are to have any hope of winning the Americas Rugby Championship as they did in 2016, they must beat Uruguay in Punta del Este on Saturday and hope that the USA slip up in one of their remaining fixtures.
With Uruguayan rugby on a high following 13 straight test victories, it is no longer certain that Felipe Contepomi’s side will return home across the River Plate with the spoils of victory as has so often been the case with Argentine teams in the past.
Experienced Argentina XV centre Juan Cappiello is aware of the challenge that lies ahead. “Uruguay Rugby has been working very well for quite some time and because of the work done by players and coaches, the results have been coming their way,” he said.
“Having said that, we need to focus on our game plan for the full 80 minutes and get better, as we have been doing, from game to game.”
Momentum
The Argentina XV lost their opening game against defending champions USA, a game they could have at least drawn had they not been denied at the death by a last-ditch tackle. They were stronger in Ushuaia against Chile, albeit having made 13 changes to the starting line-up. Most of the players rested after the trip to the United States are back, including Cappiello, in what looks like the strongest team possible.
“Against Chile, things got better as the game progressed; the players wanted to play and show their talents. The match eventually opened up but only because the team got their momentum going and things started to flow as planned.”
Cappiello has played against Los Teros in the two previous encounters at the Americas Rugby Championship, and also in the 38-33 win in the final of the Sudamérica Rugby Cup last September.
He was not in the team that lost against Uruguay in their final game before travelling to Rugby World Cup 2015 - the only time a national Uruguayan 15s team has beaten an Argentine national team. There have also been two wins in sevens: in 2012 and earlier this year in the same venue as Saturday’s game.
The stakes are different this time around with the winner staying in the hunt for the ARC trophy. While determined to do as well as they can, the Argentina XV continues to be focused on player development. Contepomi is working with a squad of 40 players, all of whom are likely to get game time.
Showcase
“Even though we have an identity and know how we want to play, Argentina XV is a development team and it is positive that we rotate players from week to week. It allows not only for rest in what is a strenuous tournament but also gives everybody the opportunity to showcase their ability,” Cappiello added.
Currently second to the Eagles on points difference at the top of the ARC table, Los Teros will present a big challenge for an Argentina XV that has recalled their most experienced players including captain Lautaro Bávaro, Ignacio Larrague and Axel Zapata, who, with Cappiello, are the only four players to be involved in the two previous ARC games against Uruguay.
In the first tournament they played in the same Campus de Maldonado stadium as this Saturday. It was too close for comfort on that occasion, Argentina XV winning 24-21 with Cappiello scoring a try.
“Uruguay are a combative team that never gives in. I have the utmost respect for them, but we are thinking about what we need to do rather than focus on what they will be trying to do,” Cappiello said.
The Americas Rugby Championship 2018 will be streamed LIVE on the World Rugby website at www.worldrugby.org/arc2018. Some geo-blocking restrictions will apply with more details available here.