Elisalex

This has been written by a former Irish player and published in the Independent a Dublin’s newspaper and reproduced quoting the source at the “Buenos Aires Herald”. I just want to share with all of you what this gentleman said, which makes me extremely proud of our team The Pumas, here comes: By Saturday night, Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales were out of this tournament and South Africa won. Quelle catastrophe !! For the Brits, they must face not just the technical excellence and organisational skills of Argentina, elements good enough to see off hosts France in the opening match, but the crucial factors that have sent the Pumas soaring in this tournament. Passion and pride: a love for the traditional values of this game. Dismiss these, if you wish, but you would understand their importance if you had shared that hour with Pichot, the captain, talisman, guide and mentor of the whole Argentina squad. Agustin Pichot is one of the last great romantics of this sport. Now well into his 30s, he has imbued his charges with marvellous values that would enhance any man, any human being. Of course, his fourth World Cup will be his last. He says charmingly “We say in Argentina, let us die with our boots on our feet”. But those doing the dying last week include Scotland if they do not understand and make allowances for the special factors that drive the Pumas. Theirs is a sporting odyssey, an adventure to be enjoyed with fun at each turn. There are many reasons, which reveal the reasons why Argentina is being successful at this World Cup. Sure, they have a fine coach in Marcelo Loffreda, so respected he has been recruited by English club Leicester, and any number of outstanding players. But above all, they are playing with a smile on their faces; they are here to enjoy the experience, to have some fun. They are not weighed down with expectation, retreating into a siege mentality. They are open and friendly. And their spirited rugby is the epitome of such a philosophy. “We will be the last romantic team at a World Cup,” says Pichot. “Look at our ages, that proves it: 33, 34, 35, 36. For me, in my way of thinking, Argentina has broken all the rules. It has shown that a romantic team without any proper preparation, with only some part-time coaches playing only five international matches a year, can still be something on this stage.” We have just wanted to survive in the world of rugby. But we have shown that rugby is still that sport we once knew. However, we will never achieve that again.” Argentina had already done enough at the tournament to shame world rugby. Ostracised, ignored and offered only empty words or vague promises of future integration, they remain still outsiders, hungry bodies thrown only the occasional crumbs and told to remain silent. Their treatment by the game’s administrators and leading nations is a scandal that stains the name of rugby football. Nothing has been done. Why? Because five Chief Executives get in who have probably never played rugby. “And they look at the situation and say, ‘we will lose money if we allow Argentina in. Why should we cut another piece from the cake? We would lose a piece. No.” In part, Argentina’s pride has been fuelled by this continuing rejection. Thus, whilst they play for pleasure, to please their beloved nation, there are other factors at work, we know quite well which they are” By the way, I do not agree with the nomination of Brian Habana as the best player of the year, I am quite sure that Felipe Contempomi had played on a regular basis much better and his an extremely skilled rugby player, but again just because we are from Argentina, we are not worth to be nominated and to be accepted, is a shame and a disgrace.

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Elisabeth Sophia Alexandra Elisalex a great fan of our Argentine Pumas