Argentinian rugby team visits Andrews Institute
Sixth-ranked Pumas play host France in World Cup opener in September
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Happy campers Dr. James Andrews (with tie) poses with the Argentinian rugby team last week at the Andrews Institute. The Pumas, currently ranked sixth in the world, were in town for about two weeks preparing for the World Cup in September.

The Argentinian rugby team, the Pumas, will head back home this week after spending the past three weeks training at the Andrews Institute in preparation for the World Cup in September in France.

"We've been working very hard. They (Andrews Institute staff) are very wise," said Argentinian head coach Marcelo Loffreda.

The Pumas, currently ranked sixth in the International Rugby Board rankings, have been working under the auspices of Joe Gomez with Athletes Performance. Six days a week, the squad has been doing lower and upper body work, as well as aerobics and strength training. Gomez will spend a couple of weeks back in Argentina with the Pumas before they embark to France for the World Cup.

The Pumas are in one of the toughest groups in the 20-team tournament, getting host France in the first match Sept. 7.

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Argentinian rugby coach Marcelo Loffreda (right) looks on as players work out at the Andrews Institute last week.

"We have a lot of confidence in the system they use. We're going to maintain that system," Loffreda said. "This is one of the best places in the world (for training). I'd like to congratulate Alex Lincoln - he has a great team."

"We built this facility for this type of event," said Lincoln, Director of Athletic Performance, adding that the Andrews Institute landed the Pumas in part due their affiliation with Adidas.

"That relationship carries a lot of weight internationally," Lincoln said. "They sent their strength and conditioning coach over and he fell in love with it. Hopefully, they'll do well in the World Cup - that'll add weight to it."

Andrews was also in attendance during the team's 'Media Day' July 11.

"This is a big boost for them," said Andrews, who hopes that their visit will create a snowball effect, with other teams coming to Gulf Breeze to do preseason training.

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News The Pumas wind down with a little basketball last week at the Andrews Institute.

Andrews said they're in preliminary talks with an NBA team to do their preseason workouts there. He said there's isn't another facility with that combines all the facets that the Andrews Institute does.

"If someone gets hurt or needs medical attention, they got it all right here," he said.

The players have taken full advantage of the facility. "We're learning a lot," said halfback Nicholas Fernandez Miranda. "We're improving our fitness. We're doing very good things here. I feel we're better prepared for the World Cup."

International Rugby Board rankings

1 NEW ZEALAND 93.30*
2 AUSTRALIA 87.12*
3 FRANCE 85.66*
4 SOUTH AFRICA 84.85*
5 IRELAND 82.52*
6 ARGENTINA 82.43*
7 ENGLAND 78.93*
8 WALES 76.26*
9 ITALY 75.53*
10 SAMOA 74.97*
11 SCOTLAND 73.94*
12 FIJI 70.52*
13 CANADA 70.06*

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Paper or plastic? Members of the Bayside Storm U-15 soccer team bagged groceries at Bruno's last weekend to raise funds to play in this week's USA Cup in Minnesota.

14 TONGA 67.52*
15 USA 67.20*
16 ROMANIA 66.79*
17 GEORGIA 66.38*
18 JAPAN 65.85*
19 RUSSIA 64.37
20 URUGUAY 63.29
21 PORTUGAL 62.03*
22 SPAIN 59.49
23 CHILE 59.27
24 KOREA 58.02
25 NAMIBIA 57.15*
* World Cup Qualifiers