With Argentina having already secured automatic qualification for Rugby World Cup 2003 the Pumas have gone from strength to strength since the appointment of former international Marcelo Loffreda as coach in April 2000.
Loffreda, who is assisted by Daniel Baetti, made a winning start to his reign against Ireland in Buenos Aires in June 2000 and has not looked back, with Argentina having clinched a first-ever series victory over France earlier this year.
The 44-year-old has also masterminded defeats of Wales and Scotland, a draw with South Africa ‘A’ and come within a hair’s breadth of first-ever victories over New Zealand and the Springboks.
Loffreda won the first of his 44 caps for Argentina, a total that puts him ninth on their all-time list, playing outside the legendary Hugo Porta in the 13-13 draw against an England XV at Twickenham on October 14 1978.
A year later he played in Argentina’s first ever match against Australia, one they won 24-13 in Buenos Aires, before retiring after captaining the Pumas in their 46-26 defeat by South Africa in Johannesburg on 15 October 1994.
The former centre scored four test tries for Argentina.