Beaten from the start by the English, the Argentinians already had their backs against the wall before challenging the Samoans.
Defeated by England in its first match, Argentina must absolutely win on Friday in Saint-Étienne in Group D of the 2023 World Cup against the attractive Samoans but lacking international matches.
For the players of Michael Cheika, the Puma coach, the situation is simple: a defeat against Manu Samoa on Geoffroy-Guichard’s pitch would practically mean elimination from the World Cup in the group stage, as in 2019, despite a less competitive group. that four years ago in Japan.
Severely beaten by England (27-10) during their first match in France in this World Cup, authors above all of a lackluster performance, the Pumas nevertheless assure that they do not doubt their strength.
«We have turned the page, we know what we have to do to beat Samoa. I’m sure we’re well prepared to have a good game“, for example declared scrum half Gonzalo Bertranou during the week.
Faced with Argentina, moribund, but a major player in the concert of the greatest nations of world rugby, Samoa, with certain potential, have deplored since the start of the World Cup their lack of international meetings, an essential factor in their development.
Thanks to new legislation from World Rugby, the world rugby body, this year they benefit from the contribution of players of Samoan origin who previously played for Australia or New Zealand, like their two opening halves , ex-Wallaby Christian Lealiifano and former All Black Lima Sopoaga. But Samoa have only played 12 international matches since their elimination from the Japanese World Cup group stage four years ago.
«How do you expect us to be competitive after having only played two matches against a level 1 nation in the space of four years, one of which was to prepare for this World Cup (defeat against Ireland 17 -13)», Regretted Seilala Mapusua, the coach of Manu Samoa on Wednesday.
«This model absolutely needs to be reviewed. We need more matches and more competitive matches so we can continue to progress and develop“, he added.
If Samoa have not beaten a major nation since 2014, they want to draw inspiration from their Fijian neighbors, faced with more or less the same problems as them, surprise winners of Australia last weekend.
«It’s great to see them beat Australia in a World Cup and we’re proud of them and of course we’ll take inspiration and confidence from that», insisted Mapusua again.
Argentina could be the ideal opponent. During their history, the two teams have faced each other four times for three Samoan victories. Samoa, the bane of the Pumas?
