SCOTLAND conclude their Autumn Test series on Saturday at Murrayfield against Argentina, pursuing a fifth successive win over the Pumas. While a positive result is expected by the home support, such an outcome would be an added bonus for the South American visitors. For as former Argentinian centre Gonzalo Tiesi explains, this game is more about the rebuild on their Test side progressing to plan.
“They are showing lots of signs of progression under coach Mario Ledesma, who remember, only took over during the summer before the Rugby Championship and the Super Rugby season,” says the 37-times capped Tiesi.
“He was a hugely experienced player, at the highest level in France, and has made a big difference. It was only in June when they played a very young Wales team and lost twice, and were beaten by Scotland [44-15 in Resistencia] which was the end of the Daniel Hourcade era as coach.
“Now, you take that loss, then see the transformation in the performance level from then, the turnaround is pretty amazing. And that progression has come from the same group of players.
“They may be the same players, but the game plan and their approach to how they play the game at Test level is something Ledesma did change, and it has been a real transformation and you have to say very impressive.
“In the Rugby Championship, we won two games, although it really should have been three, but the wins against the Springboks in Mendoza and on the Gold Coast against Australia, were great results. Even against the All Blacks home and away, those were really good team performances and something that has made people quite optimistic.”
Gonzalo, who plied his trade within these shores with London Irish, Harlequins, London Welsh and Newcastle Falcons, says the Pumas are playing a better brand of rugby than in recent years.
“The Pumas have a better all-round game. A few years back, we were very good in attack and could score tries against almost any opposition, but we conceded too many because defensively, we were not up to what was needed at Test level. Now I would say we have a more balanced game, which comes back once more to the coaching, and, eliminating the errors that can be so costly at the very highest level. The coaches have a very clear idea what they want from the team, and as a result, they are playing more like a team, more cohesively.”
Argentina lost last week to Ireland in Dublin, a match Tiesi, still only 33, says compares well to the challenge facing the Pumas on Saturday in the Scots capital.
“I think against the Irish – who are a side very similar to Scotland – Argentina fronted up, physically. Ireland, at the moment, are one of the top three teams in the world, a very disciplined and well-drilled side, with a good coach and great players. As I say, like Scotland.
“We met Ireland head-on, and I thought they performed well. They were happy with the performance when I spoke to some of them after the game, even though they lost because it was against one of the best teams about just now.
“It is the same this week. Scotland are a very good team, well coached by [Gregor] Townsend. Their half-backs, Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell, have to be considered as a pair, amongst the best in the world, especially with how Russell has started in France.
“Scotland are a very difficult team to play, anywhere, but particularly at Murrayfield, with the atmosphere, and the weather – guaranteed, it will be wet and damp and windy. If it’s just windy, consider yourself lucky,” he laughed. “That is not a minor thing. That will suit Scotland more than Argentina, especially now, back home (Tiesi is a resident of Barcelona these days) when rugby has become more of a summer game. It doesn’t sound much, but that does make a difference,” says Tiesi, who once tasted victory himself at Murrayfield.
“I remember that game, in 2009. It was just the usual Scotland-Argentina Test; our game plans were very similar, based on having a good set-piece. It was very hard, very physical, and we won 9-6 in the end. But that result doesn’t tell you that for the first 30 minutes, Scotland ran us all over the pitch. All we were doing was chasing them and the ball. I’m still not certain how we won.
“I think this coming game will be quite open – depending, perhaps, on the conditions - because ultimately I still think that style suits both teams.”
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