Tonga coach Mana Otai, whose side are a point ahead of Argentina in the pool standings with one win and two bonuses, concurred with Sanchez about the strength of the Pumas.
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“Diego Maradona is a huge supporter of Pumas rugby, and a personal friend, but he only phones about rugby when Argentina are defeated”, Pichot said in 2007.
The Hand of God is clearly as active as ever and was spotted at Leicester yesterday waving Argentina on their way to a world cup quarter final, possibly against Ireland.
Super Sanchez – Argentina’s fly-half has banished any memories of a poor Rugby Championship, kicking well, pushing his team forward and even dotting down.
Sanchez added the kick before a piece of history was created as Imhoff became the Pumas’ leading World Cup tryscorer when a sharp move saw the winger race over after a neat dummy.
“At half-time we wanted to get points straight off from kick off and we got that”.
“If we win, with a bonus point, it could take us somewhere we have never been before”.
The Sea Eagles lost their opening game to Georgia before defeating Namibia and with a game against New Zealand looming in their final Pool C fixture, they must defeat Argentina if they are to have any hope of progressing to the knockout stages.
The Pumas lived dangerously early on against the combative Sea Eagles but a blistering four minutes in the first half proved decisive to seal a 45-16 victory in Leicester.
Winless Fiji will also play their final game of tournament on Wednesday morning, facing off against Uruguay at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes at 8am (NZ time).
Tonga will bring physicality and passion to the game.
Creevy, who introduced Maradona and offered him the microphone, said: “He was always the best”.
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Argentina: Joaquin Tuculet, Santiago Cordero, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Juan Imhoff, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo, Leonardo Senatore, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Ramiro Herrera, Agustin Creevy (capt), Marcos Ayerza. You are giving what Argentina doesn’t have and doesn’t get from those who should make them happy. They surprised us especially in physical contact… every time we had the ball they got inside us, beat us in hand-to-hand (combat) and that weakens us a lot.
