PFF NEWS

PFF

The Best Casino Bonus in the Philippines

Date: 2023-11-30 19:42:59 | Author: PFF | Views: 828 | Tag: games

Michael Cheika refused to assess the entirety of Argentina’s Rugby World Cup campaign or his tenure as head coach of the Pumas games

Coming off a harrowing 44-6 semi-final defeat to New Zealand in which they’d been totally outclassed in every facet of the game, perhaps his reticence was understandable games

Next Friday’s third-place play-off against the loser of the second semi-final games between England and South Africa merely provided a handy excuse games

It’s a game that players don’t want to play, spectators don’t want to watch and media don’t want to cover but it did give Cheika a week’s buffer to collect himself before he will have to answer the tough questions games

“I can’t do that straight away,” said Cheika when asked to assess his time in charge of Argentina, which comes to an end after this World Cup games

“I haven’t finished yet games

“I know we won’t win World Cup but I’m happy to be at this level and they deserve to be here games

Their play, ambition, ability to raise themselves after the first game [a pool-stage loss to England] games

It’s another obstacle but we can be proud of our team and our capacity to deal with obstacles games

Next week we have a game to play, at the end of the World Cup we will summarise and assess it games

”The players were similarly on message with their adamance at the importance of the worst game in rugby games

“There is one more game left, one more final,” said flanker Marcos Kremer games

“We want to leave this World Cup winning and we are going to do everything to make it happen games

”“We are going to prepare like a final games

We are not satisfied with being here games

We want a medal and we are going to fight for that," added wing Mateo Carreras games

The value of a third-place play-off in an event defined by a trophy, rather than a medal podium, and its place in an already over-saturated playing calendar is a debate for another time but the Pumas can only keep the wolf at the door for so long games

They will soon have to address exactly what happened in the second-most one-sided World Cup semi-final of all time – the eventual margin of defeat just narrower than the All Blacks’ 49-6 triumph over Wales in 1987 games

The All Blacks ran riot in the Stade de France (Getty Images)Three times in their rugby history, Argentina have reached the semi-final stage of the World Cup, with three losses to show for it games

They have scored just one try across those 240 minutes and have a combined losing margin of 76 points games

The celebrations and lap of honour after beating Wales in the quarter-finals in Marseille a week ago suggested that, deep down, the Pumas believed they had come as far as they could in this tournament games

Both history, and the performance that followed against New Zealand, made it a self-fulfilling prophecy games

They hardly imposed themselves on the All Blacks at the Stade de France games

Phases of attack came to a grinding halt once they reached the All Black 22, with the ball inevitably jackalled away, the defensive line was torn to shreds by their opponents’ quick hands and clever lines, the scrum was splintered by a dominant New Zealand pack and basic handling errors defined the game games

Frankly, it wasn’t a match befitting a World Cup semi-final and ensured the Pumas book-ended their tournament (barring next Friday’s bronze-medal irrelevance) with abject displays, after the lifeless opening loss to 14-man England games

It is hardly a squad bereft of talent games

The experience of Julian Montoya and Agustin Creevy leading the front row is complemented by an exciting, dynamic back-row trio of Juan Martin Gonzalez, Kremer and Facundo Isa that should be able to match almost any opposition games

While questions remain at nine and 10, a back three of Mateo Carreras, Emiliano Boffelli and Juan Cruz Mallia is explosive enough to give any team fits games

Argentina were dejected after slipping to a semi-final defeat (Getty Images)Perhaps a semi-final appearance shouldn’t be sneered at games

Yes, they benefitted from being in the considerably weaker half of the draw but it equalled their best World Cup performance and you can only beat who’s in front of you games

On paper, Cheika’s tenure – since taking the reins from the sacked Mario Ledesma in early 2022 – will be viewed as a success games

A first-ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand last summer and a World Cup semi-final is not a bad return games

But in terms of the ‘eye test’, the Pumas never looked like an elite side and there’s a nagging feeling that they haven’t moved forward under the Australian games

Cheika’s preferred coaching style of creating a ‘siege mentality, us against the world’ environment always seemed at odds with the largely personable Argentina squad games

Media availability was limited – perhaps a poor fit for the historically open Pumas – and a bubble created around the team games

Putting your stamp on things in just an 18-month period is tough, with Felipe Contepomi always slated to become head coach after the World Cup and learning the ropes as part of Cheika’s coaching team in the interim games

The legendary Pumas fly half, who is also a cult hero at Leinster following playing and coaching spells there, will likely provide a different strategy in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup and it will be fascinating to see what he’s taken from his time working under Cheika games

As for the Australian, he departs with his reputation certainly not damaged and maybe even enhanced games

The 56-year-old will undoubtedly be in demand around the rugby world and should be able to have his pick from a number of exciting coaching opportunities games

“It is not a sad moment,” insisted Cheika in the aftermath of defeat in Paris games

“It’s a moment I’m proud of my team games

We were in the semi-final of a World Cup games

”Yes, they were games

But the suspicion that there was a version of this Pumas side that still had more to give remains games

More aboutMichael CheikaArgentina rugbyRugby World CupJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Argentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerThe All Blacks ran riot in the Stade de France Getty ImagesArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerArgentina were dejected after slipping to a semi-final defeat Getty ImagesArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerMichael Cheika led Argentina to a World Cup semi-final but they were trounced by New Zealand Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today games

SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsgames BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy games

truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply games

Hi {{indy games

fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} games

Mikel Arteta has praised Gabriel Jesus for bringing “belief” and “energy” to Arsenal as the forward shone in victory at Sevilla games

Jesus continued his love affair with the Champions League with a fine goal and assist double as the Gunners won 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium games

A piece of magic set up compatriot Gabriel Martinelli to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Jesus doubled the lead with a fine, curling finish of his own – although he later limped off having moments earlier held his hamstring games

The Brazil forward may not boast the most prolific strike record but he has now scored an impressive 23 goals in 41 appearances in Europe’s elite club competition games

Asked if Jesus had been signed from Manchester City because of his prowess in the competition, Arteta replied: “For sure games

He has been through a lot in the last few years and he’s still really young games

“He has enormous experiences – some of them not the nicest but very necessary to be the player that he is today games

I’m really happy to have him in the team games

“He came here for a reason games

I think he changed our world games

He brought so much belief and energy to that team, he needs to step in in those moments games

He’s done that games

That’s when a player becomes accountable for the team games

“Big games are for big players games

He needed to produce those moments to win in a stadium like this games

He’s done it for us in a really big way games

Then, really sad because he felt something in his hamstring and I’m worried about that games

“We need those players to win games games

If you want to play Manchester City, then go to Stamford Bridge, then come here – that’s the level we’re at right now games

To come here and win, big credit to the boys games

”Jesus’ night ended as he hobbled off to be replaced by Eddie Nketiah in the latter stages – with Arteta admitting he is concerned for the striker games

“(I am) really sad because he felt something in his hamstring and I’m worried about that,” he added games

“He straight away asked to be subbed which is not good news because Gabriel is not a player who does that at all games

We will have to wait and see in the next few days games

”The victory saw Arsenal recover from defeat in Lens last time out and was enough to take them to the top of Group B at the halfway stage games

Arteta’s side will be in a good position to reach the knockout stages if they beat Sevilla in the return game at the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight and the Spaniard was pleased with the reaction to defeat in France games

“That result against Lens put us in a difficult position and the team had to react,” he said games

“We are coming from the back of very difficult games where the team has to step in and go against adversity as well with some of the injuries that we picked up to big players games

“The team is so willing to at least try their best even if we don’t manage to be our best all the time games

”More aboutPA ReadyMikel ArtetaGabriel JesusArsenalGabriel MartinelliChampions LeagueManchester CitySevillaBrazilEmirates StadiumLensEddie NketiahStamford BridgeSeville1/1Gabriel Jesus has ‘changed our world’ – Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaGabriel Jesus has ‘changed our world’ – Arsenal boss Mikel ArtetaGabriel Jesus, left, inspired Arsenal to victory over Sevilla (Isabel Infantes/PA)PA Wire✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today games

SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsgames BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy games

truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply games

Hi {{indy games

fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} games

PFF FAQ

PFF LINK

PFF RECOMMEND

Recently: Pornbet Bing Rebate Peraplay Peraplay Gaming Login Peraplay PH Baidu