Nicolas Sanchez ‘grateful’ to make history in must-win World Cup clash

Nicolas Sanchez is looking forward to his historic moment when Argentina take on neighbours Chile at the Rugby World Cup in Nantes on Saturday.

The first ever clash at the tournament between two sides from South America will see the 34-year-old fly-half become only the second Pumas player to reach 100 caps.

“I’m happy,” Sanchez said on ole.com.ar. “My family is arriving from Argentina. My wife and my son have been accompanying me for some time with my mother, and tomorrow my father and my brother will also arrive. It’s a nice moment to be close to the people who love you.

“For me it is very important to have been able to spend so much time in the place where I want to be. I have lived through hard moments, others very, very beautiful, but I am grateful to be able to continue being here, living moments like tomorrow.”

The sides have played each other 39 times before in Tests, with Argentina winning all of them, and Chile have been well beaten in all their matches so far.

Pumas coach Michael Cheika has made 11 changes to his starting team from the side that beat Samoa last time out.

Hooker Agustin Creevy, the only current centurion, is also included in what is a very experienced line-up.

Argentina have been playing catch-up since losing to England in their opening match and must win their remaining pool contests to reach the quarter-finals.

A narrow 19-10 victory over Samoa ticked the first box and Cheika no doubt has one eye on what could be a crucial clash with Japan on October 8.