“It will be tough playing against top tier nations.”

Those were the words of former Argentina rugby halfback and captain Agustin Pichot ahead of their match against South Africa.

The Pumas, who finished third at the 2007 World Cup, will finally end years of exclusion from competitions like the Six Nations and Tri-Nations when they play their opening match in the Rugby Championship against the Springboks on Sunday.

Pichot said it is probably going to be the most difficult tournament in the world.

After years of being neglected by much of the top tier rugby nations, Argentina began more intense lobbying, pleading and negotiating to join either the Six Nations, or Tri-Nations, following their 25-25 draw against the British and Irish Lions in 2005.

Those pleas increased in volume when Pichot’s Pumas’ stunned hosts France in the opening match of the 2007 World Cup before beating them again in the third place playoff.

Pichot added that in the last 10 or 15 years, they worked really hard on the pitch to gain respect so they could be part of an annual competition.

The 37-year-old also said that as an Argentine, he is going to be very proud this weekend as Argentina plays South Africa because they fought very hard for that to happen.

South Africa will host Argentina at 3am Sunday while the Wallabies will meet the All Blacks at 10:05pm on Saturday.


Story by: Akuila Cama