7 Sep 2013

Pumas target perfection

2:32 pm on 7 September 2013

Argentina needs an almost perfect performance if it's to register a first win over New Zealand tonight in Hamilton, according to captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe.

The loose forward, who is returning to action after recovering from a calf injury, was not being overly ambitious in his expectations of a side who have never beaten the All Blacks in 16 previous attempts.

Their best result was a 21-21 draw in 1985, though they arguably had their best chance to record a victory in 2001, before number eight Scott Robertson scored a last-gasp try that gave the All Blacks a 24-20 victory.

Current Pumas coach Santiago Phelan played in that game in Buenos Aires and Lobbe is well aware that there is almost no room for error if Argentina wants to beat a side he believes are among the best to have played the game.

Lobbe says the Pumas need to be clever, clinical and precise while giving it their all.