New Zealand v Argentina, The Rugby Championship
Pumas look to sharpen attack
September 2, 2013
Argentina's Martin Landajo gets to the ball ahead of Ruan Pienaar, Argentina v South Africa, Rugby Championship, Mendoza, Argentina, August 24, 2013
Martin Landajo and the Pumas were much improved in Mendoza © Getty Images
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Argentina accept they can't rely only on their traditional strengths, with Martin Landajo saying they must sharpen their attacking ability if they are to succeed in the modern game.

The Pumas are in Auckland ahead of their Rugby Championship Test in Hamilton on Saturday, and they have Rugby World Cup-winning former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry assisting their campaign for a second season.

"Our defence and our forwards are our strengths," Landajo said. "But we think it's not enough to win a game today. We can't defend for 80 minutes."

The Pumas scrum-half said Henry, brought in to help with the transition, liked to keep things simple.

"He's not very complicated in what he teaches," he said. "He wants us to have more of the ball, to play with the ball - just simple things but effective. He doesn't want us to kick just because we don't know what to do with the ball. He wants us to kick as a part of the attack."

The Springboks overwhelmed Argentina in Soweto in the opening round of The Rugby Championship, but the Pumas improved to push South Africa all the way before losing 22-17 in Mendoza.

The second Test was a rugged encounter, and Pumas loose forward Leonardo Senatore was banned subsequently for nine weeks after being found guilty of biting Eben Etzebeth. But the Pumas have been boosted by the return of skipper Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe from a calf injury.

© AAP

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