Bouza: Argentina's Six Nations omission a blessing in disguise

Argentina coach Pablo Bouza believes the Pumas would not have made the World Cup semi-finals had they joined the Six Nations as originally planned instead of the Rugby Championship.

The Pumas', who petitioned the tournament organisers for inclusion in the Six Nations competition following their World Cup semi-final appearance in 2007, had their application to compete in the European competition with games in San Sebastian, Spain dismissed out of hand. 

Instead Argentina joined New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa's annual Tri-Nations tournament in 2012, their inclusion the catalyst for the competition’s rebranding into the Rugby Championship in 2012. 

For the first time in World Cup history no teams from the Northern Hemisphere have reached the World Cup's last-four stage following Argentina’s thumping of Ireland 43-20 in the quarter-finals on Sunday.,

And Bouza has admitted regular clashes with their three fellow semi-finalists has paid huge dividends. 

When asked if Argentina would be as strong now had they joined the Six Nations in 2012 and not the Rugby Championship, Bouza said: "I cannot be sure, but I don't think so, they are quite different styles.

"Last year when we finished playing the championships, we struggled, we came back here and we lost against Scotland.

"But they are such different styles, when you play here in autumn, November, the pitches are slow, the breakdown is tough, it's tough to have quick ball to play.

"When you have quick ball, for us it's very positive. 

"I think playing in the Rugby Championship for us has been great.

"The players used to play against New Zealand far less frequently. Before you would play them every six or seven years, and now they have played 10 matches against them in four years. 

"For the players, and for us as coaches, we are always learning when they play against New Zealand. 

"So the Rugby Championship has been something great for us."

The Pumas will now face Australia at Twickenham in Sunday's semi-final – coincidentally the same day the Argentinian people will vote in a new Presidential election.

New Zealand's 2011 World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry took a consultancy role with Argentina when the Pumas first joined the Rugby Championship, helping head coach Daniel Hourcade improve a number of facets of the Argentinian's game, including ushering in a new attacking blueprint. 

Three years on, Henry’s attacking influence is both obvious and apparent as Argentina sit second behind only New Zealand in both points and tries scored at the 2015 World Cup.

Bouza, a back-row alumnus of Harlequins and Leeds has worked in tandem with Hourcade, ensuring the Pumas continue to balance their new-found attacking renaissance with their traditional scrummaging strength. 

Argentina ran in two tries inside the first 10 minutes against Ireland on Sunday, to blitz Joe Schmidt's shocked men - and Bouza hailed the victory as among the finest under boss Hourcade. 

"I think it was one of the best performances Argentina have had with Daniel as coach," said Bouza. 

"The first 20 minutes was great, then we had the yellow card and Ireland came back with great power.

"The last 20 minutes when our bench came on it was great for us.

"But Australia will be extremely tough. 

"It's hard to defend their attack because they have so many different styles. 

"They can play with an open style, or through the centre, so it's going to be very, very tough for us."