Longo: Industrial action won't affect Argentina
Argentina number eight Gonzalo Longo believes his side can put their domestic troubles to one side and perform well in the upcoming Test against Wales later this month.
Longo is one of the 60 players who have taken industrial action against the Argentinian Rugby Union (UAR) in a dispute over payments and facilities, but after agreeing to play the games against Wales, it appears the impasse has been breached.
Now the ASM Montferrand player hopes they can find a silver lining by beating the 2005 Six Nations champions in two ties over the coming fortnight, starting with the clash in Puerto Madryn on June 11.
He told rugbytime.com : “This problem made us lose a lot of time and it’s tiring, because some players have been fighting for this for six months.
“But I think this problem will make us stronger and I have a lot of faith in this team.
“What I liked the most is that there weren’t only 15 or 20 players who reacted. We were 60-strong, and there were young players who haven’t played many matches in the national team but who backed us anyway.
“I hope now we can show on the pitch that we’re a united group.”
Of opponents Wales he has inside knowledge, with club-mate Stephen Jones playing for the tourists.
Longo added: “According to what Stephen Jones told me, it is a young team, with good players.
“However, I think they will be tough because the players who are coming in are the ones who want to win a berth in the World Cup squad.”
