Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau has paid the Pumas' forwards the ultimate compliment by saying they are the tournament's best pack.
Polota-Nau said although the Pumas are not as highly ranked as New Zealand or South Africa on the IRB rankings, their forward play has been the best in the competition so far and he expects a relentless physical onslaught from them in Saturday's Test on the Gold Coast.
Argentina's pack have impressed against the Springboks and All Blacks in their three opening encounters and Polota-Nau said the Pumas' play up front was better than their opponents in those matches.
"It's on par, but if anything better," Polota-Nau told AAP.
The Pumas pack's ability to win crucial turnovers and their commitment on defence unsettled the Springboks in their 16-16 draw in Mendoza as well as against the All Blacks in their 21-5 loss in Wellington last week.
"They probably have the stats for the highest turnovers and it's because of all their forwards working so well in the defensive area and jackling and creating such a mess at the breakdown," Polota-Nau said.
"Technically if we're not sound we'll get punished.
"So as a contest it's on par or if not better because I think from (numbers) one to eight they can all be jacklers."
The Pumas also place a huge emphasis on dominating the scrums and the Wallabies have prepared for any surprises in the set-phase by picking 122kg lock Kane Douglas, ahead of the lighter Rob Simmons as the injured Sitaleki Timani's replacement.
"That's the beauty of the Argies, they're quite the unorthodox team so we actually don't know what to expect," Polota-Nau said.
"We're prepping by all means necessary to make sure that any scenario we can (1) stop but (2) stick to our plan - of getting the ball in and out and let the backs do the rest."
Comments
safehands says...
Competitions best forwards thus far as follows....imo...
1. New Zealand...strong individuals, powerful srummagers and dynamic all over
2. Australia...strong scrum (won that battle against the Boks in Perth), an area they have certainly improved
3. Argentina...physically competitive but too one dimensional
4. South Africa...strong individuals but lack lustre and one dimensional
Posted 01:12 14th September 2012
georgesmith says...
TPN is an idiot and loves giving interviews but his performance is not much. He should rather focus on getting his throw-ins right and scrum binding. Such an experienced player, but the flaws in his game never seem to go away. Really inconsistent performer. In the same boat as N.Sharpe - the greatest over-rated player of all-time.
Posted 00:49 14th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Only a 50/50 guess Tatafu and you still got it wrong.
Posted 21:54 13th September 2012
jmanngod says...
Wow!! coming from an Aussie forward that means.....well it means.... exactly nothing I imagine.
Posted 20:14 13th September 2012
Trader2 says...
Well done tha_mai - end of story really, the Argies have a very good pack no doubt but really any pack looks pretty good to a Wannabie forward. Could we have the world record for scrum resets coming up on the Gold Coast?
Posted 14:57 13th September 2012
kiwilad says...
tha-mai thanks for putting this BS to sleep
Posted 11:54 13th September 2012
PREEST says...
That's a big call considering Polota-Nau has NEVER played against the Pumas. They are competitive, but not yet the BEST in the competition. The ABs didn't beat the Pumas by ONLY having a better back line. He's right in saying they are very good, and I think they will put a lot of pressure on the Wallabies pack.
Posted 10:51 13th September 2012
melkdave says...
Well well i think this is the 1st sensible comment from a wallaby player,before a game .Thats not a cliche or banal,and also true.TPN is so right the pumas pack is playing very very well,relentless and strong in the set piece.The wallabies will really have to front up and play maybe even better ,than they did against the bokke
Posted 09:53 13th September 2012
tha_mai says...
using the Sydney MH stats - they may be independent!
Rucks and mauls NZ 101 Arg 42, scrums AB 6 Arg 4, win against head NZ 1 Arg 0, lineouts NZ 21 Arg 13, won against throw NZ 5 Arg 1, forwards missed tackles NZ 7 Arg 12.
Better? Not exactly dominant based on those. Competitive yes, but not match-winning stuff.
Posted 09:46 13th September 2012