CIt was written, the group stages having delivered their verdict, the first quarter-final of this 2023 World Cup, this Saturday in Marseille, was to be a clash of styles between Welsh dispossession and Argentine possession. In any case, it is with these two very distinct game plans that the Red Dragons, 1st…
CIt was written, the group stages having delivered their verdict, the first quarter-final of this 2023 World Cup, this Saturday in Marseille, was to be a clash of styles between Welsh dispossession and Argentine possession. In any case, it is with these two very distinct game plans that the Red Dragons, 1st in Pool C, and the Pumas, 2nd in Pool D, qualified. Failing to be frankly brilliant, all these little people relied on obvious certainties.
Except that on Thursday, in Toulon, a little sentence from the coach of the XV du Poireau introduced a good nuance of doubt. Asked about possible combinations when determining his team composition in his three-quarter line, Warren Gatland said he expected “a lot of kicking from Argentina”. What a surprise when his back triangle – Josh Adams, Liam Williams and Louis Rees-Zammit – is one of the main assets of the British.
Two hours later, in Marignane, his counterpart Michael Cheika also gave his clue: “We are aware of the need to produce something different for this match, something special. It is at this price that we will be able to compete with them […] Our attack needs to step up a notch. Our kicking game will also be very important, the Welsh kick a lot more than us, it will be up to us to know how to use it. There could be surprises in this area, although I will not give details…”
Revamped 3rd lines
This could also be the result of the changes in the third lines of the two teams. Deprived of Taulupe Faletau, Wales chose to field two formidable ground battle and scratch specialists, captain Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell, to supervise Aaron Wainwright and form a formidable trio on the ground and in defense. The Argentines, for their part, must do without Pablo Matera, package. Also Cheika decided to align Facundo Isa, a Toulonnais who is very hard on impact and formidable in the rucks, a sector where Marcos Kremer, positioned in 7, but also the 2nd line Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini also pose a certain threat . Suffice to say that receptions of high balls should be followed by fierce confrontations.
Former Welsh fly-half Neil Jenkins, now coach of individual technique within the selection, puts forward another explanation: “It’s the nature of these elimination matches. There aren’t many spaces in matches of this level, but the Argentinians are good in the air and on the feet…” And then, at the end of a disappointing group stage, they rely on the good old lever of one against all. “Wales are favorites, it’s difficult to ignore it, since everyone points it out to us except our Argentinian supporters,” slips a mischievous Cheika
2023-10-14 07:04:17
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