Nor there may be a better scenario for ‘The Lions M20‘ to debut in this world cup. The two current world champions will face each other in the first match of the South Africa M20 World Cup 2024.
In a tournament that starts on July 29 and ends on July 19the Espa�ola rugby team will seek to maintain the category and demonstrate that, the triumph in the World B from last season, it was not a coincidence.
The selector Ricardo Martin’s and the captain Manex Aricetahave analyzed what the keys are for this first match and how they get to this tournament.
Q: Group A, France, New Zealand and Wales, three of the toughest teams, say that the teams that go up to the World Cup A, the following season are relegated again, what makes this team different? to the others and if the objective of permanence can remain in the background?
R – Ricardo: “We have to go game by game, Our goal is to reach the 5th game very alive.If we are able to have learned and have achieved permanence it is great, but our objective is to grow in the first 4 games. We have to manage the minutes so that in the games 4 and 5 let’s be as competitive as possiblewithout forgetting the first three “
Q: How have you prepared these matches?
R- Ricardo” The truth is that we are happy with the preparationwe arrived at the perfect time after the game against Italy and a training session with the pumas, we expected more from Ireland but it fell a little short, we miss that, the rest a 10, both for the boys, the federation and all media.”
Manual: “We have worked a lot together, we have been doing concentrations all year, that makes us strong to go out on the field and give everything”
We have worked hard to get here and we will give 200% on the field
Spanish team in South Africa
Q: What do you expect from France in this opening match?
A- Ricardo: “It’s an opening match, there are many things that can distract you, It is the best selection in recent years. We have worked very well but the reality will be whether we are going to be able to keep up with France.
If we manage to manage the French rhythm and the punishment blows, “We will be able to play a competitive match like we did against Italy.”
Manex Ariceta posing with the trophy
Q: What have you learned in the game against Italy and training with Los Pumas?
A- Ricardo: “We have learned the detail, the importance of the detail, every time you overlook something, there are cracks that appear, we teach the player that by doing things well but not perfect, you get performance, but that at these levels , either you do it perfectly or you make mistakes that undermine you. But we need to compete against these teams, to be able to improve and continue growing.
Manual: “They think that we are a team that has just entered this World Cup and maybe it can be worth 50% to them but we must give 200%, because our mistakes are going to cost more than those of the rival for your experience.”
Q: Apart from facing the best team in the world, you face players from the best leagues in the world. What feeling does it generate in you?
R- Manex: “I know several players from having played with them in France and they have not analyzed us, we know everything about them and they have not cared about anything and that can be very good for us. That transmits motivation to us. “
R- Ricardo : “Quiz�s France and New Zealand They are not worried about us because they think we are inferior, but Wales does know what we are capable of and they fear us and are worried.
That is why we can surprise in this group stage.”
Manex Ariceta and Ricardo Martinena, captain and coach of Spain M20
