vsIt was written after the group stages had delivered their verdict, the first quarter-final of this 2023 World Cup, this Saturday in Marseille, was set to be a clash of styles between Welsh dispossession and Argentine possession. In any case, with these two very different game plans, the Red Dragons, 1…
vsIt was written after the group stages had delivered their verdict, the first quarter-final of this 2023 World Cup, this Saturday in Marseille, was set to be a clash of styles between Welsh dispossession and Argentine possession. In any case, it is with these two very different game plans that the Red Dragons, 1st in Pool C, and the Pumas, 2nd in Pool D, qualified. Without being entirely brilliant, all these little people relied on obvious certainties.
Except that a little phrase from the coach of the XV du Poireau on Thursday in Toulon introduced a good shade of doubt. Asked about possible combinations when deciding his line-up 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 Brits’ most important assets.
Two hours later, in Marignane, his colleague 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 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 may be surprises in this area, although I won’t give details…”
Renewed 3rd line
This could also be the result of the changes in the two teams’ third lines. Deprived of Taulupe Faletau, Wales opted to field two formidable ground game and scratch specialists, captain Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell, to oversee Aaron Wainwright and form a formidable trio on the ground and in defence. The Argentines, for their part, have to do without Pablo Matera, package. Also Cheika decided to bring Facundo Isa, a Toulonnais who is very hard on punches and formidable in rucks, a sector where Marcos Kremer, positioned in 7, but also 2nd line Guido Petti and Tomas Lavanini also pose some threat. Suffice it to say that receptions of high balls should be followed by violent confrontations.
Former Welsh flyhalf Neil Jenkins, now coach of individual technique in the selection, offers another explanation: “That’s the nature of these elimination games. There are not many places in games at this level, but the Argentines are good in the air and on their feet …” And so, at the end of a disappointing group stage, they rely on the good old handle one against all. “Wales are favourites, it’s hard to ignore that as everyone points it out to us except our Argentinian supporters,” quips a mischievous Cheika