Legendary Porta says underdogs can shock
Argentine great Hugo Porta believes there is a chance of the Pumas upsetting the All Blacks in their World Cup semifinal.
Argentina go into the match largely overlooked by fans and pundits, but with two wins over the All Blacks over the few years. The most recent of which made history as their 25-18 win in Christchurch last year was the nation’s first over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
But former first five-eighths Porta told Newstalk ZB just how good they will need to be in France.
“They have to play the perfect game to beat the All Blacks,” Porta said. “The All Blacks are a great team, we know about their potential, but you have to play every game. We think we have a little chance and we will go for it, but it will depend on the possession and on our defence, because today the defensive patterns are very important.
“I think we have a chance, probably 20 per cent, but we will go for it.”
Argentina have had a much friendlier road to the World Cup semifinals. The All Blacks have already had two clashes with teams among the world’s top four. Argentina’s toughest challenge has been No 5-ranked England, who beat Los Pumas in pool play.
The side impressed with their 29-17 win over Wales in the quarterfinals. However, the All Blacks are expected to be a stark step up in competition for the side.
A win over the All Blacks would set Argentina up for their best finish at the World Cup, while a loss would give them the opportunity to match their bronze medal finish at the 2007 tournament.
For the All Blacks, Argentina bring a different threat to that of the Irish, and fullback Beauden Barrett said Argentina’s are just as real as the former No 1-ranked side they beat in Paris.
“Early in the week we focus on our detail and but that’s also defensive detail so that’s understanding what they bring, their threats and they’re real threats — they’re genuine,” Barrett said.
“We know what they can do, we felt that particularly in Christchurch last year and we know how passionate they are. We saw that in the Welsh game. They’re a team who have been under the radar.”