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Robinson: Pumas no pushovers
08/11/2006 10:10 - (SA)
Bisham - England coach Andy Robinson has insisted Argentina pose just as big a threat to the struggling world champions' hopes of an elusive win as anyone else they will face at Twickenham this month.
England have lost their last six matches, a run that continued last weekend with a 41-20 defeat by 2007 World Cup favourites New Zealand - the home side's biggest losing margin in a Twickenham Test.
Later in November, England welcome South Africa to their London home for back-to-back internationals.
The temptation, therefore, for many home fans is to see Saturday's match against Argentina as the ideal opportunity for their team to avoid equalling England's worst sequence of results since 1971/72 when seven matches in a row were lost.
But although the Pumas may lack the history of the All Blacks and the Springboks, they are a growing force within rugby union.
Argentina have won their last four matches against Six Nations champions France. Last year they beat Scotland at Murrayfield and in June won both of their two home Tests against Wales.
"We don't treat anybody lightly," Robinson told reporters at Bisham Abbey, home to England's National Sports Centre.
"Argentina showed when they defeated Wales what a strong side they are.
"They have a unique way of playing the game, they love to maul the ball. They maul it more than any other side does in world rugby.
"At the close quarter ruck and drive, they are potentially the best in the world," Robinson added.
Argentina have won two of their 11 Tests against England, with one draw.
Both their successes came on home soil, a 15-13 win in Buenos Aires in 1990 followed up seven years later with a 33-13 victory when the bulk of England's first-choice players were with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa.
The Pumas have only twice before played at Twickenham, where 10 years ago they came agonisingly close to a first Test win in England before losing by a mere two points.
"You know you are in a game with Argentina and there are certain things you've got to get right. One of those is not to give penalties away.
"If they can get their kicks to touch and get their driving lineout going, that gives them rhythm.
"We've got to be accurate, we can't afford to make mistakes. Argentina are a tough tackling side and obviously they'll be looking to put us under pressure.
"We respect the way Argentina play the game and our guys play against them at club level. Two of the standout players for me have been the Lobbe brothers (Ignacio and Juan) at (English champions) Sale.
"I think they have been awesome, particularly the younger one (Juan), I think he has been the standout back-row forward in the Premiership," said admiring former England flanker Robinson.
England:
Iain Balshaw, Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Anthony Allen, Ben Cohen, Charlie Hodgson, Shaun Perry, Pat Sanderson, Lewis Moody, Martin Corry (captain), Ben Kay, Danny Grewcock, Julian White, George Chuter, Perry Freshwater.
Replacements: Lee Mears, Stuart Turner, Tom Palmer, Magnus Lund, Peter Richards, Toby Flood, Josh Lewsey.
- AFP
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