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'I didn't expect such a great performance' - Pumas legend Porta on what historic win means for Argentina
By Online Editors
Argentina's greatest player is riding the emotional high of beating the All Blacks and hopes it's the beginning of something bigger than rugby for his country.
Legendary first-five Hugo Porta watched the game from his home in San Fernando, in greater Buenos Aires, as Los Pumas claimed a famous 25-15 win in Parramatta. The World Rugby Hall of Famer scored all of his side's points in the famous 21-21 draw against the All Blacks in 1985, until Saturday the closest they'd got to toppling the three-time world champions. Porta watched the game on replay without knowing the score, given the 3.10am local time kickoff.
The 69-year-old said it was an emotional day for him and he didn't believe it was over until referee Angus Gardner blew the final whistle.
"I was very excited ... I didn't expect such a great performance, it was an amazing result, but as you know you cannot say [it's over] 'til the last moment."
Captain Pablo Matera said post-match they wanted to show their under-siege country what was possible amid Covid-19 lockdowns and a grim death toll of more than 35,000, the 10th worst in the world. Porta says he's in agreement with the man who is now leading his country, as he once did.
"I think it was a big, big message to Argentinians. The country isn't going through a nice period, so this was an example of what we can do when we are all together and work towards something we want to achieve."
Porta has reserved special praise for first five Nicolas Sanchez, who scored all of his side's points in the win, as Porta did in the '85 draw, in a bizarre piece of symmetry.
"Many people talk about how many points I scored, how many points Sanchez has scored. I think records are there to be broken, so I'm very happy for him having a great performance, especially after not having the chance to show all his potential during the Rugby World Cup."
The test was the Pumas' first since last year's tournament, where they missed the knockout stages in a tough pool against England and France. Porta hopes the history-making win can be the catalyst for a bright future for Argentinian rugby.
"Here in Argentina, we must start talking more about the game and what the game is teaching us and not so much about money and contracts.
"Our players are very special, most of them were born into the clubs in Argentina which is where the blood of Argentinian rugby is. By improving the local competition we will improve our rugby."
In this year of all years, it's the ultimate tonic for Porta, ending a 35-year wait to topple the men in black he got so close to beating.
"It's not only the Covid, but it's the economy. To survive in Argentina, whenever you are tackled by reality, it's like on the field — you have to get up and keep on looking forward."
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Latest Comments
Excellent points Mz. Because of other commitments I have just watched the game.
Interesting watching it after reading all the news reports especially in the English media. I was expecting to see a game that the ABs were very lucky to win. What I saw was a game that England showed their tactical incompetence and their inability to construct any try scoring opportunities.
They can go on deluding themselves that they were unlucky to lose ( as Borthwick said post match ) but until they stop relying on rush defence and goal kicking to win I feel they're doomed to be ranked 4 or 5 in the world.
Can't wait until the weekend to see how the Wallabies go against them
Though I dare say Walter will be hoping for an England win.
Go to commentsIF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.
As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.
Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).
This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.
If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.
Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.
After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.
Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.
Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)
Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.
Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.
Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.
Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:
Seeding Band 1
IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG
Seeding Band 2
SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: FIJI
1/8 final opponent GEORGIA
Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond
Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6
Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA
1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND
Prognosis: You know the prognosis
I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?
Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.
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