Liam Toland: Argentina will test everything, including the referee

For those lucky enough to be going to Cardiff, you're in for a treat. But four weeks ago I was sitting in Wembley Stadium when Argentina pushed New Zealand very close. If you think Ian Madigan's postmatch tears were a window into the Irish beating heart, then wait for Himno Nacional Argentino and the Pumas tears before kick-off. The Millennium will be like an Irish home, but this will be a hell of a fixture; buckle up.

Can I assume a level of current rugby knowledge such as Argentina’s big win over South Africa in August? The ever-classy winger Juan Imhoff scored three tries 8,127km from home.

Fintan O'Toole noted this week that Albert Einstein said the great difference between knowledge and ignorance is that knowledge has its limits. We know that we have dominated the Six Nations, and in doing so have not lost to France in five meetings. But now Ireland go global against Rugby Championship opposition, where Argentina are what France should be.

Argentina’s performance against the most experienced All Blacks team of all time (1,013 Tests) and a substitute in Sonny Bill Williams (for when Ma’a Nonu tired) was astonishing. Argentina upped their tempo, taking quick lineouts off barely made touch finds. But their breakdown and offloading were key.

Having been exposed to the best in the world, they have come up with a breakdown gamble demanding referee interpretation. In doing so, they conceded penalties to deny New Zealand seven-pointers.

Firstly, they will chop the Irish ball-carrier, with a second arriving immediately to hit the ball, chest high, requiring a huge effort from the Irish ball-carrier to present to his support. If they don’t manage the chop, they brilliantly read and bear-hug with two defenders. This will make Irish carriers vulnerable to terrible body positions on the deck, with jackals poaching.

Then their post-tackle work is extraordinary. Should any part of the Irish ball become exposed, they will gamble and pounce. Finally, their fringe will gamble beyond the offside line every time.

Against New Zealand, they gambled with four early breakdown penalties, leading to Pablo Matera being sinbinned on 9.27 minutes. Will referee Jérôme Garcès react accordingly?

This appears a heavy price, but they've such regard for their defence that although they conceded six points during this time, they scored seven. They do concede tries, such as Aaron Smith's on 56 minutes or when outhalf Nicolas Sanchez made a poor read on the Julian Savea and Kieran Read combination for Sam Cane's try on 67minutes. However, their reads on the constant flow of All Blacks attacks, especially as they tired, was superb. Ireland, take note: it took the All Blacks huge levels of patient building to eventually get there. But suspended centre Marcelo Bosch is a huge loss defensively, especially in reading a flowing offence.

Argentina’s rugby patterns are difficult to ascertain. Their very first flow from a lineout lasted nine phases, in which they reversed the ball six times. Initially targeting midfield, they immediately reversed over and back, hitting narrow targets before reversing and reversing. But they made the gain line every time, targeting weak shoulders and gaining yards.

Herein lies their secret: they test everything, including the referee. Their first receiver will facilitate the man outside him, who often takes into contact. Taking narrow, they take flat and nearly always have a hard line runner. But the runner is never looking for contact like some daft ball receiver. He aims for future holes and trusts the pass to put him through, with hooker Agustín Creevy especially good. While down to 14 men against the All Blacks, they built yards and phases all the way to their opening try. And unlike France, when they make their line break or power down the channel, they add real pace to the next movement.

Paul O’Connell’s loss will be felt everywhere, but especially on the tighthead side of our scrum. New Zealand had their two most capped props of all time against Argentina and still Los Pumas prodded then back. Ireland’s backrow will need to stay bound and driving throughout; no cheating and no raised heads looking for an early break away. The Irish number five will be very, very tired.

In summary, Argentina are a beautiful rugby team with supreme confidence in their ability – epitomised by Juan Martín Hernández or their winger Santiago Cordero battling in defence and the air – especially in holding possession and offloading through contact. Watch them attack from their 22, especially when they move from defence into attack off turnover, when they are as good as any team.

Paul O’Connell

Much has been said of Paul O'Connell this week, but for me he epitomises Munster and especially the unique Limerick character. He has spent his entire life sprinting towards the danger, and we have been all the better and safer for it. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

liamtoland@yahoo.com