Felipe Contepomi (Coach)
About how the team is arriving to this semifinal: "They are arriving well, obviously, with a short week of preparation, but they also are. It was a good preparation in terms of what was planned, it was how we wanted to prepare ourselves."
"But it goes beyond this week, it's everything we've been doing for a year and a half, and the preparation for this World Cup."
About the value of this match: "I don't like comparisons with 2007. The value is the opportunity; playing a World Cup semifinal doesn't happen every day. We have worked conscientiously. If we can give our best version, that's what we are looking for."
"For Argentine rugby, it means a lot; but being a semifinalist doesn't give you the right to be among the top four all the time."
"It's something that all Argentine rugby should be proud of for having reached here (semifinals)."
About the strengths of his team: "The state of the team has always been the same, perhaps the perception has changed from the outside. We talk about trusting a process, not a result. There's a huge work behind it."
"When you lose, and there the result comes in, but then we play finals."
"We continue improving content because we have embraced things that made the team better. Everyone behaved in an incredible way, because what we were doing was never questioned."
About the knowledge of the All Blacks: "Having played against them in the Rugby Championship is very important because it allowed us to play against the best teams every year. It helps us arrive better prepared for matches like tomorrow's. It's a semifinal, regardless of being against the All Blacks. We will embrace the opportunity."
About the change of Bertranou as scrum-half: "We are fortunate to have three scrum-halves competing at the highest level in each training session. Then it's a strategic issue, it has nothing to do with Cubo (Cubelli) or Gonza (Bertranou). It was debated among all the coaches. Because of the way they are competing, and having all three at their best level, we are fortunate."
About if they have talked about the victory against the All Blacks last year in Christchurch: "It's in the past; obviously, when you beat them once, you humanize them. But all matches start 0-0. We are in a semifinal. We have a plan. We don't start with more points for having beaten them in Christchurch."
About the contribution of Pablo Matera, former Crusaders player: "He is one of the leaders and his presence, having him close, contributes a lot. It helps in analysis, in knowledge of the rival; talking with players about the stage they are going through for having been there; it's very important that he can be with us."
About the historical location of this match: "For me, the Pumas are those of the moment. We want to write our own history. '99, 2007, 2015, they are chapters within the rich history of the Pumas, perhaps nicer chapters to read. It's a historical moment, hopefully it happens more frequently. That the Pumas can establish themselves among the top four in each World Cup."
Lucio Cinti (Center)
About how they need to be for the match: "Very focused. We will have to enter well focused to do our thing. That's what it will come down to."
About the support from the fans: "You can feel the support of the fans in the matches. It's a very important part. The support they send helps me a lot. The clubs are a fundamental part of Argentine rugby and it's a bit of that, the energy they send us. It's great."
About how to live the moment: "I try to enjoy it and not get ahead of the match (too early) so that I don't get caught up in that anxiety that isn't good. It's a beautiful opportunity that we have tomorrow."
Francisco Gómez Kodela (Prop)
About the All Blacks pack: "They are one of the best packs in the world, in the lineout, in the scrum, and on the ground. They dominate almost all aspects of the game. We will have to be up to the task."
About the support they receive: "We are very happy, proud to be Argentines. It's not just us, it's the family and many people behind us."
About the match they expect: "Tomorrow will be a very tight match. The keys will be the set pieces and the defense. If we are present in those two aspects, we will have a good result that we will find out at 11 o'clock at night."
World.Rugby
Credits: UAR