Scotland and Contepomi both ready to run

An Argentina side slowly building to business as usual will take on a Scotland side promising anything but, in their crucial third Pool B match on Sunday.

With Los Pumas' inspirational captain and goal kicker, Felipe Contepomi, back from the rib injury he received in the 13-9 defeat to England, Argentina have a settled look.

That means a traditionally huge pack, strong runners across the backline and accurate kickers in open play and at goal.

Scotland have taken the unusual view for them that a fast game is a good game, naming a team they believe will compete with Argentina up front and also run them ragged in open play.

To some, the idea of Scotland moving the ball around with the hands rather than the boot is as likely as the fleet-footed Japanese wanting 80 minutes of scrums.

But coach Andy Robinson said Scotland have been varying their tactics for a while and have the capability to play a running and passing game against Argentina at Wellington Regional Stadium.

Moving the pack

“We really want to play ball in hand. That’s something that’s the key for us. We really want to move the ball around," Robinson said.

“They (Argentina) are strong around the breakdowns and their forwards, and therefore our ability to move their forward pack around will be important for us."

Contepomi's return at inside centre for his 15th Rugby World Cup match, a record for an Argentine back, will be a boost for Los Pumas.

“Our captain is our leader, our soul. He has that kind of magic it’s not easy to find in a rugby player and we’re very, very happy he’ll be out there with us,” said Argentina number 8 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan said: "He’s very important, not only as a player or the leader of the team (but) he’s in good condition and he’s very important for the Argentina team.”

Scotland also recognise the danger posed by Contepomi and the Pumas back line.

Challenge defences

"He's always a standout performer, he's a talisman, he's their captain and across the back line they've got a lot of strong runners," said Scotland full back Chris Paterson, who is playing in his fourth World Cup and is Scotland's all-time top scorer against Argentina (47).
In line with his attacking strategy, Robinson has opted for a running fly half in 23-year-old Ruaridh Jackson, over the strong kicking game of Dan Parks - although Parks is on the bench in case the game plan changes.

"He (Jackson) has a very good ability to go to the line and challenge defences and we believe going into this game it's important for us to play with the ball in hand, as well as have the balanced game of kicking," said Robinson.

Argentina sit third in their pool with six points, three behind England and Scotland, who meet in the fourth and final round of Pool B matches next weekend.