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‘Doesn’t change anything’: Boffelli’s surprising take on World Cup blockbuster

Emiliano Boffelli of Argentina looks dejected during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between England and Argentina at Stade Velodrome on September 09, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Henry Browne - World Rugby/Getty Images)

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.

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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.

Fixture
Rugby World Cup
Argentina
19 - 10
Full-time
Samoa
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“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.”

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1 Comment
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Rachael 464 days ago

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..

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SK 16 minutes ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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JW 5 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

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