(*First part) At 88 miles per hour. At that speed we are traveling at this very moment. We are in Dr. Emmett Brown’s DeLorean, which we borrowed to go back in time and do a review of the history of Los Pumas in the rugby World Cups. A story of passion, improvement and unforgettable moments. Of growth, suffering, learning, effort and joy.
Also read: They are in prison and they come out to play: the inspiring story of Los Toros, the rugby team that tackles the walls
In the previous nine editions of the maximum oval event, the national team went through the most varied facets, including the transformation from amateurism to professionalism. From not going through the round in the first three Cups to playing two semifinals. Three weeks before the start of the Rugby World Cup in France 2023, we retrace that path.
Since the start of the World Cups, Argentina has been a constant competitor, leaving an indelible mark on the tournament with his passionate style of play and unwavering commitment. Rugby was the last “big” sport to have its own World Cup.
The international tours were the parameter to measure the forces between the selected ones and the Five Nations was the great tournament to watch. For long decades it was considered that this discipline should be kept pure and amateur, away from millionaire events that could confuse the spirit of the game with the business. Until in 1987 the first RWC was played.
The first three, to the punches
The Pumas were invited to the New Zealand and Australian Cup in 1987. The team had beaten South Africa in 1982 (as South America XV by the apartheid), to the Wallabies in 1983 and had drawn with the All Blacks in 1985, so expectations were high. But the demanding preparation that was needed collided with the prevailing amateurism, many renowned players had to get off (Andrés Courreges, Alejandro Iachetti, Marcelo Loffreda, Bernardo Miguens, Tomás Petersen or Ernesto Ure, for example) and the slap was big.
The upset loss to Fiji in the premiere he left the team without making it to the quarterfinals, adding in this first adventure another loss to the New Zealanders (local and future champions) and beating Italy.
England was the site of the second Cup, in 1991. Argentina came to the World Cup with fluctuations -in results and internal issues-, in addition to presenting a squad with many young people who appeared after the retirement of the great Hugo Porta in 1990. Losing to Australia (he would later lift the cup) and Wales was in the plans , but losing to the unknown Samoa shook Argentine rugby. Home again in the first round. While, In the oval world a word began to be heard: professionalism…
The one in South Africa, in 1995, was the World Cup that changed everything. It was the appearance of one Jonah Tali Lomu, the first big superstar. Professionalism took over the scene and a multi-million dollar television agreement ended up tearing down the banner of amateurism.
With Nelson Mandela as the emblem of a nation in need of joy, the Springboks raised the Webb Ellis trophy to unite a long-suffering people. But once again Los Pumas did not have a good time. The outlook was good on paper, with an accessible group and with the illusion of going to the quarterfinals for the first time. The defeat against England in the debut did not change anything: they had to beat Italy and Samoa. But the Samoan nightmare mourned the Argentine team again, giving it another blow. With their hopes shattered, the Azzurra took advantage of the situation to celebrate at the end and send the Argentines home quickly.
Nine minutes of pure courage that changed history
Wales 1999 was not another World Cup. He marked a milestone in Argentine history. Because with courage, tackle, Diego Albanese’s try and Gonzalo Quesada’s foot, The Pumas reached the quarterfinals for the first time. Yes, the spell is finally broken. Or several, actually.
The squad arrived at that Cup wrapped in chaos. The players asked the coach (José Luis Imhoff) to step aside, so Héctor Méndez and Alex Wyllie took over. But Pipo got off the plane days before traveling to the tournament and everything was left in the hands of the mustachioed New Zealander.
The debut with a fall in the opening game against the hosts made us suspect that nothing had changed… and to top it off, Samoa was coming. At the end of the first half of that game, the Oceanicians won by thirteen points. But The Pumas woke up and ended up taking a key duel against a team that was a headache. First hex broken. The subsequent victory against Japan evened the positions in Group D, as the Argentinians, Samoans and Welsh all had four points. Unlike so many, The Pumas finished third and qualified for the playoffs to reach the quarterfinals.
Ireland was the rival in Lens that cold October 20. The rest is known: Quesada’s aim kept the result even, until in a scrum in favor near the rival’s ingoal they decided to make the play called “false and back”… was about to change the history of national rugby.
Albanese’s dive for the try decorated an action that had not come out even when they practiced it in training, but was executed perfectly when it had to be.
You had to defend that four-point lead on the scoreboard. El Trébol needed a try to move ahead and cornered Los Pumas inches from their goal for nine minutes. Yes, nine. yes, an eternity. But with her characteristic claw, the team literally put their shoulder in and stopped the Irish advance time and time again. And to play quarterfinals for the first time. Second hex broken.
Later, the defeat against France was anecdotal, mainly because it was played just four days after that epic defense in Lens. But the first step was taken. The mental barrier of the first round had been broken. The Pumamanía began.
New Zealand and Australia 1987
Argentina 9-28 Fiji
Argentina 25-16 Italy
Argentina 15-46 New Zealand
* Eliminated in the first round
England 1991
Argentina 19-32 Australia
Argentina 7-16 Wales
Argentina 12-35 Samoa
* Eliminated in the first round
South Africa 1995
Argentina 18-24 England
Argentina 26-32 Samoa
Argentina 25-31 Italy
* Eliminated in the first round
wales 1999
Argentina 18-23 Wales
Argentina 32-16 Samoa
Argentina 33-12 Japan
Argentina 28-24 Ireland
Argentina 26-47 France
*eliminated in the quarterfinals