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PARIS - Argentina first five-eighths Juan Martin Hernandez, one of the outstanding players of the World Cup, is cutting loose a little more with each Pumas victory.
Hernandez, "a natural, a once in a generation player" for Argentina's director of rugby Les Cusworth, will be looking to inspire the Pumas to victory over South Africa in Sunday's semi-final at the Stade de France.
The easy-going 25-year-old, happy kicking a string of fine drop goals against Ireland one moment and signing autographs for a group of admiring schoolboys the next, is also talking tactics more.
"We know that South Africa have a great team, but if they think they have already won, that's better for us," Hernandez told reporters.
"They're very confrontational in their game. But we have confidence in being able to stop them with hard, low tackles because in that way we can cut the dynamic of their advances. It's a good strategy we hope will give us good results."
Hernandez has led the line in four of the Pumas' five victories in the tournament that have carried Argentina to an unprecedented semi-final.
"I'm generally someone who is calm and reserved but at the moment I talk a lot because I know this match is very important for Argentine rugby," Hernandez said.
DREAM POSITION
"To play a World Cup semi-final at first five-eighths is a dream for me," said the supremely athletic Hernandez, who had almost always played at fullback for the Pumas before the tournament.
"It was the position that I started out playing (as a boy) and I'm very happy to be number 10 with the Pumas," said the man now being called the Maradona of rugby by an ever increasing fan base back home.
"Mentally I'm feeling better and better," added Hernandez, who set the tone for Argentina's performances with his tactical kicking in the 17-12 upset victory over hosts France in the tournament's opening match.
"I know that if the team play well, it's thanks to me but, on the other hand, if they play badly it's also due to me."
Hernandez helped Argentina beat Georgia 33-3 to secure a bonus in their second match, then missed the third, a 63-3 win over Namibia with a leg injury.
He came back for the pool decider against Ireland, inspiring the Pumas to a 30-15 victory with three magnificent drop goals to send them into a quarter-final against Scotland.
The Pumas went 19-6 up against Scotland with another fine Hernandez drop goal and were glad to have a substantial lead to defend as fatigue saw them hang on for a 19-13 win.
Hernandez is one of two Pumas who could end the tournament winning the IRB Player of the Year award after being named on the short-list this week.
"That's good for me but there's another Argentine among the five, Felipe Contepomi, which shows that Argentine rugby is in good shape," he said.
- REUTERS
