Pumas confident of All Blacks upset

Without a win in the Rugby Championship, the Pumas think they are not far away from ending that barren run ahead of the Napier Test against the All Blacks.

Winless after two years of the Rugby Championship, Argentina feel they are on the verge of breaking their duck against the southern hemisphere's heavyweights.

The Pumas head into Saturday's Test against the All Blacks in Napier on the back of two strong efforts against the Springboks, but ultimately left empty-handed.

They outplayed South Africa in Salta two weeks ago before conceding late points to lose 33-31.

Captain Agustin Creevy feels they have the ability to claim a scalp in the tournament and even register their first win against the All Blacks.

"We are conscious that we are playing against the three best teams in the world, but we are confident that we can win games against them."

Closing out games has been something of a problem for Argentina, but Creevy believes it is a lack of concentration rather than a lack of fitness that has denied them a debut win.

"We consider this is something that will improve game by game. It is something that the team is working on and we are going to correct."

Under new coach Daniel Hourcade the Pumas have adopted a more expansive approach which is winning fans but has yet to win them a game.

"We have been working a lot on that system of play - of running the ball - we are very glad that people consider Argentina as a team that moves the ball," said Creevy.

Rain forecast for McLean Park may hinder that approach but Creevy thinks his side boasts the experience needed to deal with whatever the conditions throw at them.

"We are going to be prepared - it doesn't matter about the weather for us."


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