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During the final weeks of waiting for Rugby World Cup 2019 to arrive Americas Rugby News will be taking a look back at some moments from past RWCs involving competitors from the Americas. In week four the feature team is Argentina.
In day seven of the series the feature is Argentina’s road to winning Bronze at RWC 2007. Los Pumas would write their name in history by finishing third. Their path to the podium entailed heartbreak and triumph with commitment to the cause being the lasting memory.
It began in the tournament opening against France. Argentina would complete a 17-12 win with Felipe Contepomi named man of the match. From there Los Pumas would go unbeaten in the pool as they defeated Georgia in Lyon; Namibia in Marseilles; and Ireland in Paris.
The win against Ireland would see Los Pumas obtaining revenge from RWC 2003 and giving Argentina a 2-1 RWC record after having defeating the Irish at RWC 1999 in Lens, France.
The clean-sweep in pool play saw Argentina into the Quarter Finals against Scotland in Paris. It was not supposed to be as such as it meant France faced New Zealand in Cardiff, Wales in their Quarter Final in their home RWC tournament.
Argentina would see-off Scotland to continue their tournament undefeated. It put them up against South Africa in what would be one match too far for the South Americans. The despair of the players upon being eliminated lives on until this day.
The Semi Final defeat did not, however, mean it was the end of the tournament for Los Pumas. Instead they would play France one more time. They would do so in the Bronze Final at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
