KOBE ¨C Intensity and bravery can only take the lower-tier nations so far against rugby¡¯s elite sides and the key to running them close is to turn pressure into points, Tonga forwards coach Grant Doorey said on Friday.
The Pacific Island squad gave a good account of itself in a 35-3 defeat to England in the teams¡¯ Rugby World Cup Pool C opener on Sunday but was disappointed not to make more of its opportunities at the Sapporo Dome.
They will get another chance to test themselves against a top-tier nation on Saturday when they face Argentina at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, Osaka Prefecture, and while Tonga has identified weaknesses in the South Americans¡¯ game, exploiting them is a different story.
¡°When you look at an opposition you always see weaknesses,¡± the Australian said. ¡°We¡¯ve got to be good enough to execute in those important moments.
¡°To put those Tier 1 nations under pressure, it¡¯s OK to be in the fight, to be courageous, and put lots of defensive pressure on them for periods of time, but when you have the ball in the opposition¡¯s 22, you¡¯ve got to be able to turn that pressure into points.¡±
Like Tonga, Argentina also lost its World Cup opener, going down 23-21 to France in Tokyo after fighting back from a 20-3 deficit at halftime.
Despite some pundits suggesting the defeat would knock the stuffing out of the Pumas and boost Tonga¡¯s chances of a shock win, Doorey said Argentina, a semifinalist at the 2015 World Cup, would still provide formidable opposition.
¡°I¡¯m not sure if there¡¯s any good time to play Argentina,¡± he added. ¡°They¡¯re a quality Tier 1 nation with lots of experience in their team. We¡¯re just grateful to be here and play against a very strong team.¡±
Argentine scrumhalf Tomas Cubelli said the first few days after the French defeat were tough.
¡°We started out hurting because we failed to get the result we were after and into which we had put so much work,¡± he said on Friday.
¡°But that¡¯s the logical nature of the game, where you have some weeks easier than others. I think this made us stronger.¡±
The Pumas had left no stone unturned when it came to preparing for Tonga, he added.
¡°We have analyzed them through and through and not only are they physical, heavy and strong but they bring a lot of work to the pitch. They are tidy and they know how to play,¡± he said.
¡°What better challenge than to beat a rival who can play well?¡±
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