Hands On! with Joaquín Tuculet

Joaquín Tuculet is Argentina’s starting fullback and is one of 31 players named in his country’s World Cup roster. This week Americas Rugby News had the opportunity to talk with him about his involvement in Los Pumas, the team’s development and the upcoming Rugby World Cup campaign.

Following Argentina’s victory against Wales in 2012 there was a lot of hope played on the team but in 2013 Los Pumas did not achieve positive results. How has the team changed under Daniel Hourcade?

The truth is that I I didn’t have much of a role in the team under Phelan which makes it difficult to compare now with the previous stage. What I can tell you about in regards to Hourcade is that he placed confidence in many players that he knew and was also convinced of the game plan he wanted to establish.

Impressive victories against the best teams in the world in 2014 and 2015 – Australia, France and South Africa – but not without losses too. How can Argentina find consistency?

In recent years Argentina has begun having a lot of competition and was not used to this, it had costs and required a period to adapt, I believe that now we are much better, every time the team undergoes changes and we have been playing the same over an extended period. We are looking for more consistency in our game, trying to maintain the level in as many matches as possible.

How is the team spirit after defeating South Africa?

With great confidence, it was a very important match but we knew that this year’s objective is the World Cup. We have been preparing well and we are targeting it.

Would it be fair to say that with Phelan Los Pumas had defensive wings and fullbacks but under Hourcade they are more aggressive?

I don’t think it seems correct to talk about Phelan’s preferences. Today Hourcade likes to play an offensive game and all the wings and fullbacks have different characteristics, not only attack but they also have a good defensive game and know how to use their feet.

What is the focus of the team to face the All Blacks at Wembley Stadium?

They are the best team in the world so we have to reduce our errors to zero which we didn’t do when we played there. Get out of our half of the field well, have a good defense and then make use of the situations that we will have and take advantage of them and score points.

Next up will be Georgia, a very different team. How do you adapt to the change?

Without question Georgia is a very physical team, strong in the scrum but luckily we are a good team in that department too and have the potential to present danger outside. And one needs to be very well disciplined because they have a great goal kicker.

Is Tonga a a serious threat to Argentina?

The Island teams have been growing a lot, at times they can be disorganized but they have large and very good individual players, it is going to be a tough match.

Do you want to start every match in the World Cup?

Yes, I would love to but I have to win my place match by match, there is a lot of competition. It is the coach who selects the team and are players. I for one am going to train the best to be available for selection.

Can Argentina win the Rugby World Cup?

Yes, I believe so. It is difficult to be sure, but otherwise I would not be going to compete. I think that we have a great roster and a great group. I have a lot of faith that we are going to have a good World Cup.

Thank you Joaquín and best of luck to you and your teammates at the World Cup.

Joaquín Tuculet is an international rugby player for Argentina and a professional player contracted to the UAR to play Super Rugby. He made his international debut against Italy in 2012. He is 26 years old and plays fullback. Follow Joaquín on twitter @joacotuculet