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‘Doesn’t change anything’: Boffelli’s surprising take on World Cup blockbuster
By Finn Morton
Along with millions of rugby fans around the world, Argentina fullback Emiliano Boffelli will “probably” watch Sunday night’s Rugby World Cup blockbuster between England and Japan.
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But Boffelli hasn’t made the trip to Nice, and won’t be watching it in a living room or in a fan zone either. This match “doesn’t change anything” for Los Pumas, as Boffelli’s revelation suggested.
The fullback will watch the Test in bed.
Argentina’s World Cup dream hangs in the balance after an opening-round loss to Steve Borthwick’s men in Marseille. Playmaker George Ford kicked the 14-man England outfit to a famous win.
That result, which was a surprise to many, has left Argentina fending for themselves in World Cup survival mode. One more loss could see them bow out far too early.
Veteran Agustin Creevy recently proclaimed that “each game will be a final” for Los Pumas. Argentina will probably progress if they win their next three games, and the team is focused on exactly that.
“I’ll probably watch in bed it because it is an enjoyable game, but the game doesn’t change anything for us because our focus is on Friday,” Boffelli told reporters.
“The result does not change us. I enjoy watching games.”
With that England defeat now well and truly in the past, Los Pumas have set their sights on their must-win clash against Samoa next Friday.
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Argentina will take on former Wallaby Christian Lealifano and ex-All Black Lima Sopoaga, with both playmakers now suiting up for Samoa. It’s an interesting side that’s more than capable of an upset.
“We reviewed the first game as usual and moved on to the things we need to do. We don’t want to be in the future too much or in the past,” Argentina coach Michael Cheika said.
“The players are clear about where we want to improve, in their preparation. Not much has changed, it is about being more regular in all sectors in preparation for the game.
“We had seen their (Samoa’s) four or five previous games.
“They are training well with a good group of coaches. I know their players, I worked with (Christian) Lealifano in the Wallabies, Ducan Piaa’aua, Lima Sopoaga. I know a lot of players from the southern hemisphere.
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“They are a good team. But we want to play at our best level. It will be a difficult match. We are in a World Cup and we see that almost every game is very competitive.”
I wouldn't be that happy being Los Pumas having Cheika as a coach... Knowing Sthn Hem players doesn't make you a good coach... they'll need more than that... The Manu will be hungry as well..