Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade has hailed Australia’s skill at the breakdown ahead of their semi-final clash with the Wallabies on Sunday at Twickenham.
The 57-year-old spoke about the importance of the breakdowns during his press conference this morning.
Last week we said the key was in the breakdown (against Ireland) and now we must multiply our defensive attributes because Australia are the best team in the world at the breakdown.
Hourcade also stressed the value of stopping Australia in the first two phases of their attacks. He went on to say that he was surprised about how quickly his team had gelled in both attack and defence.
I didn’t expect the leap, the ‘click’ made by some of the players which normally would have taken longer and especially in an event like this, a World Cup, that’s perhaps a surprise. But we knew that at some moment they were going to make that click and several have done it here, it’s fantastic.
Pumas captain Agustin Creevy praised the impact of the substitutes in their fine 43-20 victory over Ireland in the quarter-final.
He also said that only a major injury would prevent him from playing in the semi-final. The hooker played for 50 minutes against Ireland, but did not take part in training this week.
Creevy has been struggling with a leg muscle strain, but he claimed that he will always make himself available for his country’s important games.
