FILE - Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi pictured during the Rugby Championship. Contepomi has transformed Los Pumas into a disciplined unit. FILE - Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi pictured during the Rugby Championship. Contepomi has transformed Los Pumas into a disciplined unit. Picture: Juan Mabromata / AFP
Argentina’s players’ passion can never be questioned as the tears normally roll down their cheeks during their national anthem ahead of a Test match.
But in the past that passion has led to them being somewhat overzealous during the match, with the heart often getting the better of the head in the heat of battle.
They are a proud rugby nation, but Ill-discipline has been a big factor for them because of this, conceding penalties which often led to yellow and even reds.
In the past pundits also wondered if the rugby laws were ever translated into Spanish, but Los Pumas’ lack of discipline had more to do with them being unable to channel that passion into controlled aggression once the match kicked off.
But things have changed since coach Felipe Contepomi took charge of the team this year. There are still tears, but certainly a lot more focus.
So much so, that Los Pumas have conceded the least number of penalties in the Rugby Championship this year with 50, compared to the Springboks’ 55. They also haven’t received a single yellow card in their last 12 Test matches, which shows the progress they have made in the discipline stakes.
The Springboks, on the other hand, have earned seven yellow cards in the 2024 edition of the Rugby Championship, while the All Blacks have have copped six and the Wallabies three.
But it’s not like Argentina have been less committed to the cause, as they still climb into the collisions with a lot of force. But they now pick their battles, especially at the breakdown.
However, it’s on their own ball where they have been clinical in this department, which has seen their backs run riot in most the the matches they have played.
Argentina enjoy a 96% success rate ruck time on attack, and it’s normally quick ball their flyhalf magician Tomas Albornoz uses to get his dangerous outside backs away.
Los Pumas did it brilliantly in the heat of Santiago del Estero last week, using this quick ball to drag the Boks around the park. A crucial 20-minute period in the first half saw them breach the South African’s rush defence and score four wonderful tries.
Upfront, they also competed with a lot of skill in the lineout, which prevented the Springboks from using it as platform to maul or launch attacks.
However, there are still a lot of question marks around their scrum, which was destroyed by Ox Nche and the Bok pack, especially in the first half.
But, all-in-all, Argentina are still in a position to win the Rugby Championship on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium because of their much-improved discipline.
With the Boks only needing a point to lift the cup, it’s unlikely that there will be tears of joy for the Argentine side. But you never know, especially if they can keep their emotions in check and play with the sort of attacking efficiency we have seen over the last couple of month.
@JohnGoliath82
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