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Subscribe to RSS FeedEales behind Argentina
A younger John Eales quite literally getting behind the Pumas
Double World Cup winner John Eales has backed Argentina to beat South Africa in Sunday's World Cup semi-final and keep the "Latino dream" alive.
The Springboks were installed as heavy tournament favourites after New Zealand's shock quarter-final defeat and have never lost to Argentina.
But the Pumas head into the Paris clash on the back of victories over France, Ireland and Scotland determined to create history by reaching their first World Cup final.
And Eales, who won the Webb Ellis trophy with Australia in 1991 and lifted it as captain in 1999, thinks Argentina can do it.
"I think the Latino dream will continue another couple of weeks," said Eales.
"The basics of the team are good, they have frustrated many teams so far. You can't discount them after winning the match at the start against France.
"If they play this match 10 times, Argentina might win two or three - this might be one of them.''
The closest Argentina have come to victory over South Africa was in 2003, when the Springboks escaped with a 26-25 victory in Port Elizabeth after Louis Koen landed a penalty with the last kick of the game.
"The results have been getting closer," said Pumas centre Manuel Contepomi.
"There's always a first time for all things. This is a semi-final, a new game, we trust in our weapons and that we can play a great match.
"For Argentine players, it's our first time in a semi-final. I think it's great being part of the history of Argentine rugby.''
Eales sees a lot of parallels between Argentina's performance at this World Cup and Australia's triumph back in 1991.
In a country dominated by Aussie Rules and rugby league, union had been considered an elitist east-coast sport until the Wallabies returned from Twickenham as world champions.
It still has to fight for attention but that victory helped to spread the word and Eales believes the same is happening in Argentina.
Already, public pressure persuaded the football authorities to delay the kick-off to the famous Boca Juniors-River Plate derby by two hours so it did not clash with the Pumas' quarter-final against Scotland.
"This has been a really important World Cup for Argentina,'' said Eales.
"What I like is the way they've done it. They've said 'we've got the opportunity to prove ourselves' and they've gone and done it.
"It looks like they're having fun out there. You can't underestimate them.
"They're not that much different to Australia at the 1991 World Cup where we put rugby on the agenda (in Australia).
"What I hear about Argentina is that it's similar there at the moment. Even the Boca Juniors-River Plate soccer game got moved to a different time.
"The interest is huge and it has to be capitalised on. This is them crying out for a platform and we must give them a platform to build on.''
