Argentina’s defeat to France in their Rugby World Cup opener may prove to be a mortal wound for their campaign, but the Pumas are determined to put that loss behind them and focus on a bonus-point win over Tonga on Saturday.
Semi-finalists in 2007 and 2015, Argentina trailed 20-3 in the first 40 minutes at Tokyo Stadium and while they fought back to take a one-point lead with 11 minutes left a Camille Lopez drop goal sealed victory for France.
With England expected to top the group and grab one of the two quarter-final places on offer, Argentina must now beat Tonga handily to have any chance of pipping France to the second qualifying berth.
“We are fully confident that we will show up against Tonga, and against England and the USA afterwards,” said bullish centre Jeronimo de la Fuente.
But back-rower Tomas Lezana warned Argentina can simply cannot afford another slow start against Tonga.
“We must look to impose our game from the get-go and when we defend, dominate them immediately,” he said, predicting a huge physical battle up front at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka.
“It will be a crunch, without a question.
“Tonga is a very physical team and I think we should keep to our set-pieces and redouble our efforts on defence as well as the contact area, since the game will no doubt veer in that direction.”
The Tongans lost 35-3 to England in their pool opener on Sunday, a defeat that also cost them the services of five-eighth Kurt Morath (throat) and centre Nafi Tuitavake (arm) for the rest of the tournament.
The Pacific islanders still bear the scars from their previous World Cup encounter with Argentina in 2015.
While they won plenty of admirers for their spirited effort in losing 45-16 that day, for some of the players it was the physical aspect of the game they remember most.
“I don’t remember much, but I remember this,” said flanker Sione Kalamafoni, pointing to a scar on his right knee.
“It’s from that game.”
Tonga were keen to show they could compete on rugby’s biggest stage, Kalamafoni added, and bemoaned the fact they “didn’t throw a punch” when presented with opportunities deep in English territory at the Sapporo Dome.
