Pumas warn N.Z.

Press, 18 October 1976, Page 34

Pumas warn N.Z.

NZPA staff corres. Buenos Aires

The Argentinian Pumas’ narrow, last-minute loss to Wales yesterday sent a shudder through the All Black camp. “That match was proof enough that the Pumas have now arrived as a force in world rugby,” the New Zealand coach (Mr Jack Gleeson) said after the team had watched a live telecast of the Cardiff game, won, 20-19, by Wales.

The All Blacks, who play the Pumas in the first unofficial test in less than a fortnight, had read before they left New Zealand how strong their opponents would be, but seeing them “live” for the first time drove home the realisation.

“You realise now what you’re up against,” Mr Gleeson said. Captain Graham Mourie said he thought his side would be able to hold the Pumas in the forwards, but he said their backs were brilliant.

The All Blacks’ attitude changed as the match progressed. They groaned when the Pumas went to their early 6-0 lead, cheered when Phil Bennett drew Wales even, and cheered even louder when the Welsh scored their two tries.

But when the Pumas began their come-back half-way through the second spell, the All Blacks were on their side. They appreciated the brilliance of the try by winger

Jorge Gawelose, and cheered even louder when their second try put them a point behind Wales.

They sweated out the final minutes as the Pumas clung to the narrow lead Daniel Becca-Varela’s penalty kick had given diem and then groaned again when the big centre, Alejoindra Travaglina, brought down J. P. R. William with an illegal tackle and Bennett did the rest.

Some of the players observed that a win for the Pumas would probably have advanced the All Blacks’ cause. “They’d come back here cocky after beating Wales and maybe be a bit complacent against us. Now they’re going to try and make up for that loss by beating n«»