Rugby World Cup 2003 does not mean the same for Ignacio Corleto as it did when Argentina were still involved, but his passion for the sport still burns brightly as rugbyworldcup.com found out when they caught up with him in Buenos Aires.
The Pumas full back has enjoyed a few days holiday since returning from Australia after Argentina failed to reach the knockout phase, but is now preparing to fly to Paris tomorrow and link up with his club, the reigning French champions Stade Français.
Corleto therefore understandably is leaning towards France when asked to give his predictions about how the remainder of the Tournament will pan out, although he also knows that anything can happen when there is so much at stake.
With this in mind, Corleto first turns his attention to the matter of the semi finals this weekend, starting with the all Southern hemisphere encounter between New Zealand and Australia.
Improving Wallabies
“Australia have grown since we played them,” explained Corleto, who clearly remembers the atmosphere from the Opening Ceremony on 10 October when much of the 81,350 crowd at Telstra Stadium were cheering for the Wallabies.
“Against us they didn’t play well because it was the first match [of the Tournament] and so more difficult. It is normal that after this they grow and now they are playing better and it is right they are in the semi finals.
“I think that after our match Australia had some doubts about their game, but now they have found their way.”
The 25 year old, who left the C.U.B.A club to play in France in 2001, firstly for Narbonne before joining Stade Français, also believes that some teams are almost afraid of playing the defending world champions.
“At the scrum against us they created problems for us. They have backs with good skills and ball handling. They also have a good leader in [George] Gregan, a good kicker and they are a well balanced team,” said Corleto.
'A step above'
“We tried to slow the game down against Australia because if you go and play their way then our defence will be disorganised, so we tried to make them play our way.”
However ‘Nani’, as Corleto is nicknamed, believes that New Zealand have the best chances of reaching a third Rugby World Cup final, even if they do have a weakness in his eyes.
“I think they [New Zealand] are going to win. They are playing well. Before the Rugby World Cup and now they do good matches and also as a team they play faster and they are one step above Australia,” insisted Corleto.
“But you never know … it could go the other way. What the New Zealanders don’t have is a good kicker. They have to find a kicker, but there is no doubt they are another complete team in the way that they play.”
A 'very tight' match
For the second semi final though there is no doubting Corleto’s preference, the 28 Test capped full back stating he “would like France to win” before admitting that “England have a solid defence” and “the match is going to be very tight”.
“England began playing well but now show some deficiencies. They have a good kicker who scores with everything – penalties, drop goals and his tactical kicking – but the most important thing is that not every team has a good strong defence like England.
“France play the French way, they move the ball from one side to the other. The scrum is a little bit better than England’s … it is going to be a tight match.”
Corleto knows that any number of factors can conspire against a team, so it not making too bold a prediction as to who will eventually lift the Webb Ellis Cup on 22 November.
Three for the final?
“France or New Zealand or England,” proposed Corleto. “New Zealand can play the final but couldn’t be the winner. To me I would like France to win because I like their play.
“In the last Rugby World Cup the French showed how to beat New Zealand.
“We must watch how every team comes through this weekend. If they have many players injured, how they are psychologically, who arrives the most tired, etc …the final is another thing.”