Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe hails Argentina improvement

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe of Argentina makes a lineout call during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at McLean Park on September 6, 2014
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Argentina back-row Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe tells Sports Mole that his side's inclusion in the Rugby Championship has helped them to "massively" improve.

Argentina stalwart Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe has talked up how much his side have improved since their inclusion in the Rugby Championship.

The Pumas joined the Tri-Nations of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in 2012 and have been a growing force in world rugby since, picking up a fourth-place finish at this year's Rugby World Cup.

Argentina's switch of style from a forwards-based attack to a more expansive and exciting one has also received praise, and Lobbe acknowledged that it has helped to garner support from fans.

When asked how far the team has come since their inclusion into the Rugby Championship, Lobbe told Sports Mole: "Massively. Especially because we decided to change the gameplan. We decided to adopt a very aggressive and open style of play.

"It's never easy - Australia showed us where our weaknesses still are, South Africa the same - but a lot of people got connected with this team, and that's not a little thing in rugby. In every sport, to connect with people is because you are giving them something special - you are giving them passion and good rugby."

Argentina were beaten 24-13 in the bronze-medal match of the World Cup on Friday evening in what was also Lobbe's final international outing.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe of Argentina makes a lineout call during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina at McLean Park on September 6, 2014
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