Pichot: expectation was too much for Ireland

[Burgs]

Pichot: expectation was too much for Ireland

PA Sport
Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 08:46 AM (AEST)

Argentina skipper Agustin Pichot claims Ireland's World Cup campaign has crumbled under the weight of expectation.

The Irish arrived in France with ambitions of reaching the semi-finals but now sit on the brink of an embarrassing group exit at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

They must defeat Argentina by more than seven points while scoring a minimum of four tries - a target widely viewed as mission impossible.

Pichot insists Ireland have buckled under the standards they have set over the past year - but is wary of a wounded team desperate to resurrect their fading ambitions of reach the quarter-finals.

"Irish expectations were very big and that is not always a positive thing," said the Stade Francais scrum-half.

"Ireland were ranked five in the world leading into this tournament and some people said they only had to walk to qualify for the next round."

"The pressure was massive and rugby is a very simple and psychological sport."

"They weren't consistent in the first few matches but we respect them and for us Ireland is always Ireland."

"We know what they can do when they're hurt."

Argentina's tryline remains intact after three World Cup matches, ensuring Ireland will have to produce something truly spectacular to pierce their defence four times.

But Pumas coach Marcelo Loffreda, who will join Leicester at the end of the tournament, refuses to join the clamour of voices writing off Irish hopes.

"Everything is possible. Many times we say to the boys that there are many difficult things, but nothing is impossible," he said.

"Ireland need four tries and they know they can do it."

"We have to think about our own game and play with the same discipline and control of the ball we had in the first three matches."

"We have a lot of respect for the Irish team and we know they are hardened."

"But we trust in our team. It will be a battle and both teams will try to impose themselves."

Argentina's revered hooker Mario Ledesma is even contemplating the consequences if his side flop in Paris.

"It is the most important because if we lose and they score four tries while we don't collect a bonus point, we are out," he said.

"In another pool, if you win the biggest match, you finish in the first place. We defeated France but we still can drop out of the World Cup."

"It would be very strange if Ireland score four tries against us."

"It would be terrible for all of us and we will throw away everything we have done until now."

"Everything would have been senseless and a big step back. If they score the famous four tries and we are out - I don't even want to think on it because I could kill myself."

[blueandblack]

This match could be another titanic struggle.

[shasta]

Lets play fill in the blanks

expectation was too much for --- -------


Argentina skipper Agustin Pichot claims --- -------'s World Cup campaign has crumbled under the weight of expectation. Pichot insists --- ------- have buckled under the standards they have set over the past year - but is wary of a wounded team desperate to resurrect their fading ambitions.

"--- ------- expectations were very big and that is not always a positive thing," said the Stade Francais scrum-half.

"--- ------- were ranked --- in the world leading into this tournament and some people said they only had to walk to qualify."

"The pressure was massive and rugby is a very simple and psychological sport."

[GIGS20]

Any team playing Six Nations rugby this year?


Any team that sent a 1/2 strength side to the southern hemisphere this year.

[GIGS20]

? oops forgot the Question Mark