E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pumas plan for Paterson

Points to Paterson: Argentina don't want to see this sort of thing of Sunday

Argentina utility back Federico Todeschini believes maintaining a high standard of discipline will be the key to defeating Scotland in Sunday's quarter-final in Paris.

The Pumas are the only team left in the tournament who did not receive either a red or yellow card in the group stages.

That is no mean achievement, given the fact that they endured red-hot encounters with Ireland and France in Pool D.

With flawless Scotland goal-kicker Chris Paterson ready to pounce on any Pumas infringements, the South Americans know they cannot afford to incur the wrath of referee Joël Jutge at the Stade de France this weekend.

"Our discipline has always been our strong point," said the Montpellier star.

"We have to maintain it and I don't think it will limit us.

"Maintaining discipline is fundamental because he [Paterson] is a great kicker."

Paterson has not missed in 15 attempts at goal this World Cup, and the Gloucester marksman certainly has a fan in Todeschini.

"He doesn't have the same style as [England's] Jonny Wilkinson, who kicks the ball very hard," he added.

"He does something like a golf swing when he kicks, and what I've really noticed is that he stands very parallel to the ball. When he kicks the ball, it's like he wraps himself around it.

"With him, it's more a question of quality than force."

In Felipe Contepomi, Argentina have a top-quality kicker themselves and the Leinster star - who has 53 tournament points to his name already - should recover from the 'flu in time to make this weekend.

If he does, he is set to partner twin brother Manuel in midfield.

The centre, the lesser-known of the Contepomi siblings, insists going into the game as favourites does not change things.

"There is no complacency in the team now that we have made it through the pool," he said.

"We are facing a great opportunity, and we have a good team. We might not have this chance again in the future.

"Argentina and Scotland both made it here the same way, with no-one taking them into account at the start.

"They are going to try to play a strong game, starting with their line-out, and the keys will be the penalties and their kickers, who have been 100 per cent effective."

Many believe both teams will adopt negative tactics, and look to gain the upper hand in the battle of the boot in the search for good field position.

Australia legend David Campese even claimed it is a match between teams who are "the dullest of the dull".

But Argentina full-back Ignacio Corleto, who scored a sensational try in the opening-night 17-12 win over France, is of a different opinion.

"Contrary to what David Campese said, I think it will be an historic event for world rugby," said the Stade Français flyer.

"Both teams are going into it in the same condition and with similar styles.

"People think that we are already in the semi-finals and that the match against Scotland is just a formality, but that's not true.

"We are Latinos, and being favourites could complicate things for us. That happened to France when they played us in the opening match.

"I think it will be tough."

Watch Rugby World Cup on Demand