Argentina have been warned that they "have to behave" as they return to the rugby field to face South Africa this weekend. The warning comes after Los Pumas sparked controversy in their last match, a 31-24 defeat to England in an ill-tempered Nations Championship clash in Santiago del Estero last month.
Ill-tempered clash with England
The match saw seven yellow cards handed out, with four English and three Argentine players sent to the sin bin over the course of 80 minutes. More than one incident sparked anger, including a missed incident just minutes into the match when fly-half Tomás Albornoz appeared to strike Tommy Freeman in the face during a scuffle. Albornoz was back in the spotlight again as tensions boiled over at the final whistle.
After the Pumas had a last-gasp try chalked off in controversial circumstances, a furious Albornoz ran over to referee Angus Gardner and made physical contact with him. Members of Argentina's support staff then had to keep their players away from the Australian official, who was also targeted by the crowd as he walked off the pitch with an item being thrown at him from the stands.
Albornoz faces misconduct charge
Albornoz has since been charged with misconduct by World Rugby and will learn the extent of punishment ahead of Felipe Contepomi's team selection for the clash with the Springboks in Buenos Aires on Saturday. But, ahead of the match, Contepomi's side have received a warning from former Pumas star Federico Méndez, with the 54-year-old urging them to learn from their mistakes and improve their discipline against the reigning world champions.
"The good thing about rugby is you can always look inwards and try to change and improve," Mendez told Planet Rugby. "As rugby people, we know that what the referee says is the last word. This is rugby rules. You have to behave. You have to control yourself. It’s been the bottom line since rugby started."
Mendez warns of tough Springboks test
While this weekend's showdown in Argentina has been billed as a warm-up for the Springboks ahead of their Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks, the Pumas are no strangers to beating top teams and defeated the British & Irish Lions prior to their tour of Australia last year. But Mendez admits that Contepomi's side will have to be at their very best to beat the reigning world champions.
"The Lions was a new team, many players coming from different teams and put together. South Africa will be tougher, they are the best team in the world and have the strongest scrum in the game," Mendez said. "Last year was the best level of rugby I have ever seen from Argentina. Felipe has created the best set-up the Pumas has ever had. But we are up against by far the best team in the world."
