Win or have a Shocker Draw in the Next RWC - Ireland Argentina Preview

[Thequeerone]

From RTE

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2008/1121/preview.html

Ireland v Argentina Preview

Ireland v Argentina is live on RTÉ Two, RTÉ Radio 1 and RTÉ.ie on Saturday from 2.30pm.

Unfortunately given what happened against the All Blacks last week, there's an awful lot on the line in this one. As everyone knows by now, defeat to Argentina could well see Ireland slip to ninth place in the world rankings going into the next rugby world cup. That would mean ending up in a pool with two big guns.

It's not overstating things to say that a bad result here could set Irish international rugby back years over the next decade. Funnily enough, Argentina, along with the other top ranked sides, are probably among those who would rather that a rankings switch didn't happen as the chances are Ireland will represent a stiffer test than Scotland in New Zealand in 2011.

Even so, Ireland should expect no quarter from Argentina. There is still bad blood - both historic and recent - between these two squads.

If the match itself stays true to the form of previous clashes, this will be dour, life or death rugby pockmarked by cheating, cynicism and mutual suspicion (from both sides, might I add).

The template for Argentina is to grind the opposition forward pack into submission up front and toy with the wide men through the boot of Juan Martin Hernandez.(currently plays for Leinster) They can, of course, play rugby but nowhere is it better understood that rugby is at heart a game of pushing, shoving and striving first and field position and chasing second than by Los Pumas.

One wonders if Ireland are philosophically in the same sort of groove. Certainly, the evidence of last week's sorry performance against New Zealand is that they still have rather deep issues with their rugby thinking.