By Adrien Bez
Published yesterday at 11:18 p.m., Updated yesterday at 11:18 p.m.
Winger Mateo Carreras celebrates Argentina’s qualification to the semi-finals. CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
Four years after their elimination from the groups, the Pumas returned to the last four thanks to their success against Wales (17-29) on Saturday.
Who would have bet on Argentina’s presence in the semi-finals? Especially after seeing his first outing in this World Cup, a pitiful defeat against England (10-27), last September 9 in Marseille. In this same stadium Vélodrome where, on Saturday, the Pumas eliminated Wales in the quarter-final (29-17). “Rugby is not unfair, it gave us a new chance”welcomed Juan Cruz Mallia.
Let the back of Stade Toulousain forget the stories of lucky stars or rugby gods. The success of his team is the result of a real rise in power since the inaugural setback. On mission, the Argentinians played each remaining group match as a final, and in particular the decisive match against Japan (27-39) on October 8.
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This team showed once again that they are more united than ever and that they believe in what they are doing.
Juan Cruz Mallia, fullback
At the time of their first real decisive match, this undoubtedly weighed in the balance. “There has been no radical change, we just learn lessons after each match. We are better able to put our game together because my players have learned a lot from previous matchesexplains the coach, Michael Cheika. There have been ups and downs, but all the work put in allows us to capitalize as the competition progresses.»
The Australian, semi-finalist of the 2015 edition with the Wallabies, therefore achieved the feat of placing Argentina in the top 4 for the third time in its history. Enough to erase the failure of the 2019 World Cup, which saw Nicolas Sanchez’s teammates disappear from the group stage. But also four years of ups and downs, and this covid period which sounded the death knell for the Jaguares, the professional franchise where many Pumas played. Here they have come from afar.
Soul Supplement
Faced with a confident Welsh team who performed flawlessly in the group stages, the Argentinians were able to demonstrate pragmatism. The two tries conceded on gross defensive errors never damaged their unfailing mentality. They knew how to exploit opposing errors, like Nicolas Sanchez’s interception which delivered the blow three minutes from time. “From the start, we know that it won’t be perfect, nothing is perfect in life. What matters is how we embrace the moment and fight for each other. That’s what rugby is all about.” underlines hooker Julian Montoya.
This is, without doubt, a good definition of the famous Argentine “grinta”, this ability to constantly fight, for oneself, for teammates. And more. “Today I played for this jersey, for my family, my club and my friends“, affirmed center Matis Moroni after the meeting. A subtle blend of youth and experience, the Argentine group moves forward, imperturbable, proud, and united. “This team has shown once again that it is more united than ever and that it believes in what it does., assures Juan Cruz Mallia. Does she believe in herself enough to hope to reach the final? “I know we won’t be favorites in the semi-final but we will give everythingsays Michael Cheika. We are not satisfied, we want to go further.»
