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PARIS - Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has warned his players not to underestimate Scotland when the two sides clash in the rugby World Cup quarterfinals at the Stade de France on Sunday (NZ time).
The Pumas were in a bullish mood after Monday's 30-15 win over Ireland meant the South Americans topped Group D and now stand just one match away from a first-ever appearance in the semifinals.
The Scots have not defeated Argentina since a 49-3 thrashing in the first meeting between the sides at Murrayfield in 1990. Since then Argentina have won five straight, the last being a 23-19 win at Murrayfield two years ago.
But Loffreda said that Scotland were a dangerous side with a mobile, combative pack and an impeccable goalkicker in Chris Paterson.
"Scotland are a hard side to beat with the ability to play fast and open but also with a pack that have made considerable progress in the last few years, even though they can be inconsistent," he said.
"Scotland wiil be tougher than Ireland because all they need is points while against us Ireland needed to score tries.
"Also we will have to be watchful at the lineout which is one of the platforms of the Scottish game."
Loffreda, who will join Leicester after the World Cup after seven years in charge of the Pumas, said that he would be hammering home the point to his players that they had to keep their discipline against the Scots.
In their 18-16 win over Italy at St Etienne on Sunday, which put Frank Hadden's men into a sixth straight World Cup quarterfinals, all the points came from penalties and the ensuing boot of Chris Paterson.
"Paterson is an excellent kicker, he is 100 per cent with his attempts so far and we simply cannot make mistakes or lack discipline, because otherwise we will pay the price," he said.
"But it's very wrong to think that Scotland are just a kicker and 14 players behind him."
There was good news for Loffreda in a near clean bill of health for his players from the Ireland game.
Juan Martin Hernandez, Mario Ledesma, Manuel Contepomi, Ignacio Corleto and Lucas Ostiglia all sustained knocks but all were expected to be back in full training by Wednesday and fit to take on Scotland.
"Everyone is fine and by Wednesday all 30 Pumas will be training as normal," he said.
- AFP
