RUGBY WORLD CUP/Pool A: Convinced the world is against them at this World Cup, the rumblings of discontent within the Argentinian squad have surfaced again, writes Gerry Thornley in Sydney
Still simmering over the injustices of the RWC 2003 scheduling, their treatment by the Australian media last week and then the refereeing of Paul Honiss in their defeat to the Wallabies, the Argentinian coach Marcelo Loffreda yesterday launched a veritable broadside at the IRB and the RWC 2003 organisers for perceived bias towards Ireland.
Loffreda has been obliged to make 14 changes for today's game against Namibia, four days after their 24-8 defeat to the Wallabies, and may feel compelled to rest some of his frontliners against Romania tomorrow week as that match comes four days before the fateful meeting with Ireland.
"I'm not very happy at all. We are the second seed in the group behind Australia so I don't understand why we have four games in 16 days while Ireland play theirs in 21," Loffreda commented.
"We are supposed to be in the top eight, so our schedule should have been looked at more favourably than Ireland's. It's not fair that we have two matches in four days, then a big break, then another two matches very quickly, while Ireland are playing every weekend."
A tournament spokesperson, Mike Miller, responded to Loffreda's outburst by highlighting the differing distances some teams have had to travel to get here and then during the tournament, declaring: "We have tried to strike a balance but we can't please everybody."
Loffreda, having kept his counsel at the post-match press conference, also gave vent to his frustration with Honiss's refereeing of last Friday's opener, particularly his interpretation of the scrums. He also agreed with Clive Woodward's assertion that Joe Roff's try should have been disallowed for blocking by Matt Burke. (As an aside, so too should Japan's try against Scotland).
"Maybe it's down to interpretation but what Matt Burke did for the Joe Roff try was obstruction and I think I know the rules," said Loffreda. "It's funny how the referees don't see incidents like these but seem to pick up all our offences. Maybe this is because we are still regarded as a second-rate rugby country."
Loffreda's gripes are unlikely to attract much space or air play hereabouts, though at least the Pumas are not being demonised like they were every day last week now that they are no longer in the Wallaby firing line.
When turning its attention to Argentina in its World Cup guide last week one Aussie newspaper wrote: "Where is it: Near the Falklands." Famous for: "Getting beaten up by England over some islands; beef; housing Nazis; Eva Peron; Diego Maradona and Hugo Porta."
Even with a second-string team, the wounded Pumas should be capable of taking out their frustration on Namibia in the countries' first meeting.
As the Namibians are also Ireland's second opponents in Sydney's Aussie Stadium, tonight's game is of added interest to Eddie O'Sullivan and the squad. Namibia play much in the physical mould of South Africa with their bigger forwards doing the "grunt" work and relying on pace out wide.
Three key players for Namibia are Kees Lensing, a highly respected young prop who has just signed a Super 12 contract with the South African Blue Bulls; Heino Senekal, a lock who plays for Cardiff, is the vital lineout man and is strong in the loose; and scrumhalf Hakkies Husselmann, another Blue Bulls Super 12 player, who is one of their key leaders.
For the fringe Pumas this is a big opportunity, especially Federico Mendez, the locks Rimas Alvarez and Pedro Sporleder (who becomes the first Argentinian to play at four World Cups) and outhalf Gonzalo Quesada, this is a big opportunity to press their claims.
In Namibia's only previous appearance at the World Cup, four years ago, they conceded an average of 62 points per game. However, they have been bullishly upbeat in the build-up to this game. "The draw has been good to us and it gives us a chance to gain respectability and credibility," said coach Dave Waterston. "It's an opportunity for us to shock the world."
Furthermore, even at full-strength, excellent side though they are, the Pumas tends not to be particularly free-scoring and Ireland's encouraging win over the Romanians, complete with bonus point, compounds the pressure on Argentina to keep pace by doing likewise.
Argentina v Namibia, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Today, 10.30 a.m. Irish time
ARGENTINA: J Hernandez; H Senillosa, M Gaitan, J Fernandez Miranda, D Albanese; G Quesada, N Fernandez Miranda; M Reggiardo, F Mendez, M Scelzo, R Alvarez, P Sporleder, M Durand, L Ostiglia, P Bouza. Replacements: M Ledesma, R Roncero, P Albacete, I Fernandez Lobbe, A Pichot, F Contepomi, I Corleto.
NAMIBIA: J Booysen; D Mouton, D Grobler, C Powell, M Africa; R can Vuuren, H Husselman; K Lensing, J Meyer, N du Toit, H Senekal, E Isaacs, S van der Merwe, H Lintvelt, S Furter (capt). Replacements: C van Tonder, A Blaauw, W Duvenhage, J van Lill, R Pedro, E Wessels, V Dreyer.
Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales).
