Argentina found themselves in the strong position of not having to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2003, having confirmed their place by reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament four years ago.
Los Pumas, as the national team are known, enjoyed their most successful Rugby World Cup in 1999, beating Samoa and Japan after running Wales close in the opening game to set up a quarter-final play-off against Ireland.
Ireland were favourites to win, but Argentina had other ideas and recovered from 21-9 down going into the final quarter to snatch a 28-24 victory with Diego Albanese’s 75th minute converted try and Gonzalo Quesada’s subsequent penalty.
Argentina lost the quarter-final 47-26 to France, having been only four points down with 15 minutes remaining, but to reach this stage was an achievement in itself after three coach changes in two months before the tournament.
Until then Argentina had won only one match in three appearances, a 25-16 defeat of Italy in the inaugural tournament in 1987, but coach Marcelo Loffreda will bring his squad to Australia expecting at worst another quarter-final appearance.
This expectation comes on the back of some impressive results, not least a first-ever series victory against France and a narrow 26-25 defeat by South Africa in 2003. Argentina’s Under 21 team also finished an impressive third at this year’s IRB U21 World Cup.
Argentine rugby is traditionally known for its power and strength among the forwards, but opponents underestimate the talent behind the scrum at their peril with the likes of Agustin Pichot, Felipe Contepomi and Albanese.
The greatest player ever to wear the Argentina shirt was arguably Hugo Porta, one of the all-time great fly-halves who won 57 caps for Los Pumas, captaining them at Rugby World Cup 1987.