Guido Petti© Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images

Main issues

Just a week after they ran in five tries against the Springboks on the road in Durban, the Pumas were held tryless for the second time at home this season; attack remains their biggest problem. While Juan Martin Hernandez's late withdrawal certainly didn't help things on Saturday, coach Daniel Hourcade's decision to recall out-of-form fly-half Nicolas Sanchez seemed curious pre-match and he certainly lacked imagination once the opening whistle blew. He also struggled to lead the team about the park with opposite number Patrick Lambie largely responsible for much of the Springboks' 63% share of territory. If Hourcade is to continue with Sanchez his game management will need to improve significantly, and it may be that is the path the coach has identified rather than a free-flowing, helter-skelter, approach that Tonga will likely use in what is likely to be the second-place deciding game in Pool D.

Squad strength

Hourcade has beaten many other nations to the punch in naming his 31-man squad just 24 hours after the loss to the Springboks. The Pumas boss seems content with a 17-14, forwards/backs split, saying it gave him the ability to play "two different teams". The back-row is certainly an area of strength while the tight-five is also well served; a lack of thrust in the inside backs remains a significant concern though. While Juan Imhoff provided punch from the wing in Durban, the Pumas centres' made little to no impact throughout the Rugby Championship or on the weekend; Juan Pablo Socino and Matias Moroni running for a lowly 26 metres combined. The midfield will likely be an area of focus for Tonga when they meet in Leicester on October 4.

Injury concerns

Mariano Galarza and Ramiro Herrera are the only two players named in the squad to be carrying injuries but both are expected to be fit in time for the Pumas' warm-up match with Leicester on September 5.

What the locals are saying

"They'll be better prepared for the World Cup [because of their involvement in the Rugby Championship], These guys are not afraid of the All Blacks." said Pumas great Felipe Contepomi.