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PARIS, Oct 5, 2007 (AFP) - Perhaps the least anticipated of the World Cup quarter-finals will bring the last eight match ups to a climax here on Sunday but it is perhaps the most intriguing as Scotland bid to gain a place in the semis for the second time and Argentina for the first time.
Romantics if they still exist in the era of professional sport would opt for the Pumas - conquerors already of Six Nations champions France and the appallingly coached and overly-confident Irish - but in reality they should be backing the valiant Scots all the way.
Scotland have surfaced into the last eight on the back of efficient if unspectacular performances against Portugal, Romania and Italy and effectively conceded the match to the All Blacks by playing a second string team, and as their Aussie-born fly-half Dan Parks commented all the ball he received that day was 'defensive ball'.
However, their inspirational captain Jason White is relishing the fact that the Scots are in the underdog role.
"We will be the underdogs and we are happy with that," said the 29-year-old flanker, who will win his 63rd cap on Sunday.
"Argentina have had great victories against two of the top tier nations - though I wasn't that surprised by either one - and we have always done well when we have been the underdogs."
White, who will front up against one of his clubmates from English side Sale Sharks in lock Carlos Fernandez Lobbe, is understandably full of praise for the Pumas and also admitted the Scots had to replicate their home form away from Murrayfield.
"If we can replicate our Six Nations home form in 2006, when we beat France and England then we will be in pretty good order.
"We haven't as yet produced that level of form away from home, but we have developed in our performances on the road."
White said that he did not look back on previous performances by Scottish sides - Gavin Hastings' miss of an easy penalty in the 1991 semi-final against England perhaps costing them a place in the final as they lost the match 9-6 - preferring to focus on the present squad and the immediate task ahead.
"I live the moment, the here and now and harnessing the special team spirit."
Scotland coach Frank Hadden - who has restored pride to the Scottish rugby jersey after a poor time under Australian coach Matt Williams - said that his side was facing a team which almost knows each other inside out.
"The Pumas are probably the most experienced side in this World Cup," said the former teacher, who owns a record of 12 victories and 13 defeats since he took over.
"They play like a club side, the speed of their reactions in terms of what the player next to them does. Speed is the key to their success."
Whilst Hadden admitted that the Pumas pack was one of their strongest points, he said that his side's scrum was one of the reasons they had been able to front up and take out a formidable Italian eight last Saturday.
"That's one of their strengths but I think we have a pack now who are capable of delivering the kind of ball we could only dream about two years ago," said Hadden, who with the Irish catastrophe could well be in line to be British and Irish Lions coach instead of Eddie O'Sullivan for the next tour.
The Argentinians have been outstanding in their group matches but whether they can stand the pressure is open to question, though, one former Six Nations coach, speaking under condition of anonymity, believes they can for one special reason.
"They are so beautifully balanced, and I am not specifically talking about their style of play, but the fact they have a chip on each shoulder, because they feel affronted that they are welcomed to the top table of rugby every four years, are patted on the shoulder and then told to wait their turn again," he said.
"It is this burning desire to prove to everyone that they are worthy of their place more regularly that drives them on, and the sport is richer for it."
- AFP
