BUENOS AIRES, May 31 (Reuters) - Argentina have rugby World Cup foes England in their sights as they seek to emulate the heroics of the 2007 Pumas, who shocked the world by finishing third at the last tournament in France.
The South Americans have lost key players to retirement, including 2007 captain Agustin Pichot, and have few international tune-ups to prepare for the Sept. 9-Oct. 23 World Cup in New Zealand where they face England, Scotland, Georgia and Romania in pool B.
But coach Santiago 'Tati' Phelan has little time for excuses as he seeks to galvanise the Pumas in time for their first pool match against 2003 champions England in their first pool match on Sept. 10.
"I don't think there's an equation between playing many or few matches before a World Cup," Phelan told Reuters in an interview after the squad's first practice on Monday, at the grounds of Belgrano Athletic Club outside Buenos Aires.
"I'd have liked one more test match but the bottom line is this is the reality of our rugby and the important thing is to optimise every one of the matches we have."
While other top-10 sides enjoy the exposure of the major international tournaments -- the southern hemisphere's Tri-Nations and the north's Six Nations -- Argentina have had to make do with the June and November test windows to play top-level opponents.
In World Cup years, they have even fewer opportunities.
The Pumas' last match was a defeat by Ireland in Dublin at the end of a three-test tour of Europe in the November window six months ago.
By contrast, their top pool rivals England and Scotland already have the Six Nations matches under their belt ahead of their World Cup warm-ups.
To try to bridge the gap, the Pumas will clash with the French Barbarians in two matches over the next two weekends and have scheduled an August test against Wales in Cardiff.
The Pumas' lack of match practice has not dented the enthusiasm of the players, who rate themselves a chance to upset England.
"Argentina must not start thinking about the last (group) match against Georgia, the quarter-finals or any further than the first match," prop Rodrigo Roncero told Reuters.
"Our thoughts must be solely on England which is the 10th of September and to build towards that match ... If we start the World Cup playing a good match against England I think many things can change."
Captain Felipe Contepomi added: "I'm convinced that if we prepare in an excellent way we could even beat England, which is not to say we will beat England nor that we're better than Scotland or England.
"Both countries are above Argentina in the rankings but that does not mean the Pumas won't qualify for the quarter-finals."
Results for Pelan, who was reunited with his players this week after most of them finished their season with their clubs in Europe, have been disappointing in his three years in charge.
But he has overseen a growing depth in the ranks, with players coming through from Argentina's second-string Jaguars and the third-string Pampas XV who won this year's Vodacom Cup, South Africa's third tier provincial competition, in their second appearance as a guest side.
"There are very good quality players, what's lacking is time to work (together)... so the team can acquire an identity of their own, which is what we've been striving for these three years," Phelan said.
A major concern for the coach is the recovery from knee surgery of gifted flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez, who also had a back operation last year.
"It's a delicate issue," Phelan said of Hernandez, who plays for French club Racing Metro. "Obviously, if he's in condition to do so, we'll try to get him included in our preparations ... We are betting on a good recovery."
The South Americans have lost key players to retirement, including 2007 captain Agustin Pichot, and have few international tune-ups to prepare for the Sept. 9-Oct. 23 World Cup in New Zealand where they face England, Scotland, Georgia and Romania in pool B.
But coach Santiago 'Tati' Phelan has little time for excuses as he seeks to galvanise the Pumas in time for their first pool match against 2003 champions England in their first pool match on Sept. 10.
"I don't think there's an equation between playing many or few matches before a World Cup," Phelan told Reuters in an interview after the squad's first practice on Monday, at the grounds of Belgrano Athletic Club outside Buenos Aires.
"I'd have liked one more test match but the bottom line is this is the reality of our rugby and the important thing is to optimise every one of the matches we have."
While other top-10 sides enjoy the exposure of the major international tournaments -- the southern hemisphere's Tri-Nations and the north's Six Nations -- Argentina have had to make do with the June and November test windows to play top-level opponents.
In World Cup years, they have even fewer opportunities.
The Pumas' last match was a defeat by Ireland in Dublin at the end of a three-test tour of Europe in the November window six months ago.
By contrast, their top pool rivals England and Scotland already have the Six Nations matches under their belt ahead of their World Cup warm-ups.
To try to bridge the gap, the Pumas will clash with the French Barbarians in two matches over the next two weekends and have scheduled an August test against Wales in Cardiff.
The Pumas' lack of match practice has not dented the enthusiasm of the players, who rate themselves a chance to upset England.
"Argentina must not start thinking about the last (group) match against Georgia, the quarter-finals or any further than the first match," prop Rodrigo Roncero told Reuters.
"Our thoughts must be solely on England which is the 10th of September and to build towards that match ... If we start the World Cup playing a good match against England I think many things can change."
Captain Felipe Contepomi added: "I'm convinced that if we prepare in an excellent way we could even beat England, which is not to say we will beat England nor that we're better than Scotland or England.
"Both countries are above Argentina in the rankings but that does not mean the Pumas won't qualify for the quarter-finals."
Results for Pelan, who was reunited with his players this week after most of them finished their season with their clubs in Europe, have been disappointing in his three years in charge.
But he has overseen a growing depth in the ranks, with players coming through from Argentina's second-string Jaguars and the third-string Pampas XV who won this year's Vodacom Cup, South Africa's third tier provincial competition, in their second appearance as a guest side.
"There are very good quality players, what's lacking is time to work (together)... so the team can acquire an identity of their own, which is what we've been striving for these three years," Phelan said.
A major concern for the coach is the recovery from knee surgery of gifted flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez, who also had a back operation last year.
"It's a delicate issue," Phelan said of Hernandez, who plays for French club Racing Metro. "Obviously, if he's in condition to do so, we'll try to get him included in our preparations ... We are betting on a good recovery."
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