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New Zealand vs Uruguay: Why Los Teros are not afraid

Nicolas Freitas of Uruguay arrives at the stadium prior to the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Uruguay and Namibia at Parc Olympique on September 27, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Adam Pretty - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Playing New Zealand holds no fear for Pool A battlers Uruguay, who insist that they will be loving every minute of testing themselves against the biggest brand in the sport.

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Uruguay play the All Blacks on Thursday in Lyon and winger Nicolás Freitas can’t wait to have a cut off the sport’s most celebrated side. It will be first time the two sides meet and the first time the Los Teros face the haka.

“Today we had our last practice session. We will travel to Lyon and have the captain’s run there. It was under high temperature, both inside and outside, a high-intensity practice, with contact and intensity. We enjoyed it because it was the last one and we are taking full advantage of it.”

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“We are going to try, with the few opportunities of having the ball, to attack them. It is very difficult to play against and defend them,” said Freitas.

The South Americans beat Namibia 36-26 last Wednesday and are hoping to bring that confidence into the contest with Ian Foster’s side, who currently sit second in the group.

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“It was 50 per cent of our tournament goal. We were very happy because the team needed it, needed to win. It gave us confidence, enjoying a win in a World Cup that, although it seemed predictable, winning a game in a World Cup for Uruguay is not something so common.

“Now we are enjoying it to the fullest; it is the last week in France and we play against the All Blacks.

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“It’s the first game against them, yes. But until now, we have received a lot of support from Uruguay, gratitude for the World Cup that we have been building. Maybe playing this game is also about that. It is representing the Uruguayans in the best way and that they feel like they are playing with us.”

“It’s not scary. It’s knowing that playing on equal terms with the All Blacks is very difficult. That can happen. The pressure is not on us, we are going to enjoy it, and live a unique experience.

“We always like to measure ourselves against the best. The All Blacks have some of the best players, it doesn’t matter if it’s team one, two or three.”

“It’s going to be something that’s going to motivate us. It was motivating to hear the Marseillaise a cappella in Lille and that pushed us. The haka is going to have the same effect.”

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New Zealand play Uruguay at 9 pm local time on Thursday at Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon.

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Comments

2 Comments
D
DM 578 days ago

Great attitude from Uruguay, hope they get nothing but positives from it

J
Jacque 579 days ago

They will get the 1st 100+ score of the tournament.

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R
RW 36 minutes ago
Leo Cullen defends his position after Leinster's Champions Cup exit

It's funny you say that boet, it's one thing to say “We are the best team in the world and yet still do no better than your predecessors” and still fail at a QF game in a RWC for instance.

It's another thing to not only say but also to show HOW you are the best team in the World by winning a RWC twice in a row which is what both NZ and RSA have done.


So yes it could be arrogance on the part of Boks and Blacks but we have a legitimate reason for feeling that way. Whereas Ireland never have. In fact in terms of WCs, they have only ever done better than Italy regarding the Six Nations teams.

England have been in at least three finals, won one.

France have been in three finals, although they lost all of them, Wales have been in at least two Semi Finals, Scotland one Semi Final.

Even amongst your peers, you guys are at the back. So I don't see what reason you have be arrogant and yet, and yet you are.


Yes you win when the ultimate pressure is not on you. Pool games, three match series, autumn series, etc, URC and EPCR pool games. But when it comes to highest tier stakes, you don't have the ability to capitalize.


It's not how you start that matters, although it does help, but how you finish. I am reminded of Munster from 2023, playing seven away games in a row and managing to win all of them on the trot including a final. That one hurt because it was against my team the Stormers.


But the stats don't even help your case. So there is a difference between “arrogance” based on fact and that based on feeling.

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