“We didn’t plan anything”: Argentina did not anticipate its qualification for the Rugby World Cup semi-finals

2023-10-14 21:01:18

Argentina believed in its lucky star. Victorious over Wales (29-17) this Saturday in Marseille in the first of the quarter-finals of the World Cup, it continues its journey to the semi-final for the third time in its history after 2007 (already in France ) and 2015. But if she knows that she will face Ireland or New Zealand at the Stade de France on Friday October 20 at 9 p.m., she has no idea of ​​her program until then. A confidence released by coach Michael Cheika at a press conference after the success against the Welsh.

Asked about where the Pumas will sleep until Monday and their arrival in Paris, the Australian coach admitted that he did not know: “We do not yet know our program for the next few days because we did not have at all anticipated a victory. We didn’t want to anticipate anything, stay humble. So we didn’t plan anything. We will see with World Rugby. » A spontaneous response from Michael Cheika, semi-finalist in 2015 when he was at the head of Australia and then eliminated… Argentina.

One of the four Ile-de-France base camps

But behind these words lies a hint of annoyance around the organization. “In 2015 (with Australia), we played in the same place, it was easy to prepare, we were able to recover. In 2023, we’ve sometimes been told we can’t work out when we want to. I don’t understand this organization because our future adversary is already in Paris. We cannot prepare normally given the short time available. Mentally, the preparation will be different. We’ll have to prepare for Paris. But that won’t be an excuse to hide behind. That’s how it is, it’s up to us to adapt to the schedule. »

After settling down in La Baule during this World Cup, Argentina prepared for the quarter-final from Aix-en-Provence. It should reach Paris at the start of the week and occupy one of the base camps located in Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine), at INSEP, in Croissy-sur-Seine (Yvelines) or in Domont (Val- of Oise). This will be determined by World Rugby at the end of the quarter-finals, on the night of Sunday to Monday.