Argentina’s 16-all draw with South Africa represents a huge step forward for the Pumas, but they want even better results in the new Rugby Championship according to captain Juan Fernandez Lobbe.

The performance was confirmation that it was not a mistake to bring Argentina into the major annual competition they had lacked, expanding the Tri Nations into a four team tournament.

The Pumas are not blinded, though, by the result and are fully aware that playing world champion New Zealand away next week requires another big step up.

Argentine rugby has for more than a decade taken big strides forward from their first Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in 1995 with a third place finish in 2007 to their credit.

Lobbe said everyone saw their disappointed faces when the match last week against the Springboks ended.

Lobbe added it is true they will remember that match all their lives because they wanted to win but victory slipped away.

The Rugby Championship will have a week off before New Zealand hosts Argentina next Saturday while the Wallabies face the Springboks.


Story by: Akuila Cama