KEY POINTS:
PARIS - Argentina have been taking an unusual approach in the build up to their crunch World Cup semi-final against South Africa at the Stade de France here on Sunday, wolfing down grilled meat.
The Pumas have exceeded all expectations in reaching the final four while the likes of favourites New Zealand, twice former champions Australia, Wales and Ireland are all already back at home watching the rest of the tournament on television.
And now that they are within 80 minutes of reaching a World Cup final, the Pumas are not about to let the occasion get to them.
Instead, they tucked into a barbecue on Thursday night amongst family.
"We relaxed a bit and had a barbecue with our families. That's going to give us positive results," said coach Marcelo Loffreda, who on Friday named an unchanged line-up from the one that beat Scotland 19-13 in the quarter-finals.
That was far from Argentina's best performance in this tournament and captain Agustin Pichot revealed afterwards the players were feeling tired after the gruelling campaign, that has included victories over France (17-12) and Ireland (30-15).
But it seems that the barbecue has done the world of good to team morale.
"We needed to regroup mentally and it was very nice what we did. It was one of the best moments of the week," said Loffreda.
"We've been together since July 1; we're like a family because we know each other in all the little details, each other's strengths and weaknesses. That helps our mental aspect."
The players appreciated the chance to enjoy themselves in a relaxed atmosphere.
Prop Rodrigo Roncero said: "It was the best training we've done, with our families and all the things that give us pleasure. We recharged the batteries."
In a country that is reknown for its steaks, it seems that a simple barbecue has had a mammoth effect on the players.
Lock Patricio Albacete added: "The last barbecue we had was in Lyon and we missed that, it was a very important moment for us."
Team spirit is a vital ingredient of this team. Everyone within the camp talks about the spirit, the desire to play for their country and the mental strength that the team possesses.
Fly-half and playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez personifies that togetherness.
When asked what he thought about his nomination for world player of the year (alongside team-mate Felipe Contepomi, South Africa winger Bryan Habana, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw and France centre Yannick Jauzion), he preferred to defer to the team.
"There's not one or two players in this team, we are a group of 30 and we are all the same," he replied.
There is also a thread of modesty and realism running through the team, who understand that they cannot rely on ability alone to get to where they want to be.
"We know we're not the best team tactically and technically. We don't have the runners that Australia and New Zealand have. We don't have the power and skills that they have," said Pichot, whose wife supplied the puddings at Thursday's barbecue.
"We have a very simple game plan, we tackle our heads off. We've given everything in the last five games and we'll do the same against South Africa."
- AFP
