Star says Boks did the Pumas no favours
– Argentine backline star Emiliano Boffelli (right) wishes New Zealand had won their last Rugby Championship match, instead of suffering a stunning home defeat by South Africa.
His believes the All Blacks will now be even more desperate for a fifth-round victory in Buenos Aires today against opponents they have never lost to.
Apart from getting back on a winning trail they are so familiar with, New Zealand can seal a sixth title if they pull off a bonus-point victory.
“Congratulations
Buenos Aires
to the Springboks on their victory,” said Boffelli, a winger converted into an equally impressive fullback when Joaquin Tuculet was sidelined indefinitely.
“But they did us no favours,” he added.
“I wanted New Zealand to come here having beaten South Africa because it is so seldom that they lose two matches in a row.”
New Zealand last suffered successive Test losses in 2011 when they were beaten 18-5 in South Africa and 25-20 in Australia.
“To overcome the All Blacks you have to play a perfect game and hope they do not,” admitted the tall 23-year-old.
The Pumas have undergone an encouraging u-turn since former national team hooker Mario Ledesma succeeded Daniel Hourcade as coach this year.
Hourcade exceeded expectations by taking Argentina to fourth place at the 2015 World Cup in England, but then oversaw a run of 22 losses in 28 Tests.
Having taken the Jaguares to the Super Rugby play-offs for the first time in his maiden season in charge, Ledesma has had a similar impact on the national team.
Victories over South Africa at home and Australia away mean they have already surpassed their previous best showing.
The ultimate challenge for Ledesma is a first win over New Zealand – Argentina have drawn one Test against them and lost 26.
New Zealand have rested skipper and No 8 Kieran Read and backline dynamo Damian McKenzie has returned home due to a family bereavement.
Wing Waisake Naholo, centre Sonny Bill Williams, scrumhalf TJ Perenara, prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and loose forwards Shannon Frizzell and Luke Whitelock have been drafted in. –
Kick-off: 12.30am tomorrow.