E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly Version 
Subscribe to RSS FeedPressure off the Pumas
Marcelo Loffreda: Happy to be underdogs again
Argentina coach Marcelo Loffreda is quite happy for the Pumas to be considered underdogs in Sunday's World Cup semi-final - because he believes that is when they are most dangerous.
The South Americans are in the last four of the World Cup for the first time in their history and, in 11 previous meetings, have never beaten South Africa.
Springboks head coach Jake White mischievously tried to paint the Pumas as favourites this week following their victories over France, Ireland and Scotland.
But with New Zealand now at home, South Africa are considered odds-on favourites to be crowned world champions - and Loffreda insists that suits the Pumas down to the ground.
"We are usually underdogs, so we are better in this position. It seems that we have to be underdogs to put our mind in perfect line and this is one of those times," said Loffreda, who takes over as Leicester Tigers boss in the Guinness Premiership after the World Cup.
"It is like it awakes in the players a lot of mental toughness and in that kind of adversity is where we are more comfortable."
The Pumas have broken new ground in world rugby this year, reaching the top four of the Test rankings as well as the World Cup semi-finals - but captain Agustin Pichot does not believe they get the respect they deserve.
They beat England at Twickenham last November and are confident their performances at the World Cup prove they would be competitive in either the Tri-Nations or the Six Nations.
But Pichot is convinced Argentina are still looked down on by the likes of South Africa - and he is determined to set the record straight.
"If you ask the South African players, the New Zealand players, the Australian players to name five Argentinian players, they wouldn't know," said Pichot.
"We know exactly how South Africa line up, how New Zealand line up. That is why we have a lot of respect for the teams that we play against and the only thing that we want is that kind of respect.
"It is an honour to be in the final four of the World Cup. It is a massive achievement for Argentinian rugby, for the players and coaches.
"But now we are here, we want more. We are not happy just to stay at this stage. We want to carry on surprising, surprising."
