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EXCLUSIVE: Change rule or continue to watch Argentinian rugby decline - Bosch

Marcelo Bosch

Marcelo Bosch helped Argentina reach the 2015 World Cup semi-finals but fears the Pumas will not make a similar impact in Japan unless they reverse their decision to ignore European based players.

Argentina are up against England, France, USA and Tonga at the 2019 World Cup and need all the talent they can assemble and head into tomorrow’s clash with England at Twickenham unable to call on more than 20 players who are contracted to French and English clubs, including 39-cap Bosch, who is a double European Champions Cup winner at Saracens alongside Pumas prop Juan Figallo, also cast into test exile.

Bosch is hoping a possible change in the Argentina Rugby Union hierarchy in March could signal a shift of policy but admits that after six successive defeats in this year’s Rugby Championship under coach Daniel Hourcade, it will take more than a recall for their European players to turn the team’s fortunes around. The Pumas team relies on the home-based Jaguares Super Rugby franchise squad that is, like the national team, struggling to find any consistent success.

Bosch said:” I know that there will be a new election of the rugby union board in Argentina in think in March but up to then no changes will apply. There were discussions about bringing in Argentina players from Europe for the November test matches but it didn’t happen and so they are still with the same group(of players) and nothing has changed.

“I don’t know if things will change next year and maybe the results of these three November games may have an influence. If they did call on those other players it would add value to the team but they also have to improve the rugby. Just bringing back players from Europe won’t win games for Argentina – they need to improve aspects of the game they are not coping well with.

“ We have started to play a new brand of rugby, keeping the ball in hand, going through phases to put teams under pressure with quicker ball at the rucks. When we started playing that way we had a good defence, set piece and forwards. Now, teams know how we are going to play and put us under pressure because we play with the ball in hand and our scrum is suffering. It was always a strength and that is quite unusual and I hope that we analysed what happened in the Rugby Championship and get some confidence from these November test matches. “

Bosch points to the loss of No8 Facundo Isa and prop Ramiro Herrera to French rugby as evidence that the current policy is not working and players are still being lured to Europe. He added:“After the World Cup ended in 2015 it was all based on the new franchise about getting the best team possible and keep the emerging players in Argentina.

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After two years, results are not being positive, particularly this year in Super Rugby and also for the national team and questions are being asked. Nothing is changing at the moment and it must be difficult for the Jaguares squad which has to deal with Super Rugby and after that they have to play international and that is a pretty tough.

“I didn’t think that after playing super rugby for two years and so near the World Cup that Ramiro Herrera would leave the franchise and join Stade Francais. I found it shocking that Facund Isa left for France but he made his choice and I hope he is enjoying his rugby.

“When players come into the national squad from other teams it always adds value with other strategies and ambitions for the game. They bring a freshness and energy and the more players in the squad the more competition you have for the places all of that generates something good for a team but it is as it is. I am sure the players are giving everything whenever they pull on the Argentina jersey but you take away the competition if the players in Europe are not involved.”

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Oh no, not him again? 1 hour ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
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CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


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At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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