England’s rugby team adjusts hotel ahead of World Cup final
England’s rugby squad have switched their central Buenos Aires hotel for one near the airport as a precautionary move should Argentina win the World Cup against Spain on Sunday, reports BritPanorama.
Steve Borthwick’s players face the Pumas in Santiago del Estero on Saturday evening before returning to the capital ahead of Monday’s flight back to London. Their original base sat adjacent to Plaza de la Republica, the iconic square surrounding the Obelisk monument that has become a focal point for massive gatherings following Argentina’s football matches throughout the tournament.
The 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar drew an estimated five million supporters onto the city’s streets. Wednesday’s semi-final victory over the Three Lions sparked celebrations that continued deep into the night, with thousands of supporters flooding the streets around the team’s hotel.
Commenting on the celebrations, Borthwick said: “I wouldn’t suggest that everybody got a great night’s sleep last night; there were still fireworks going off at 4am this morning. Most of us were on the other side of the hotel and earplugs were issued to everybody, so we were prepared. I went up to the hotel terrace that overlooks the street fairly late, and there were still a load of players just watching it and just taking it in.”
“People jumping up and down for hours in the streets. Fireworks going off. It was something to see,” he added. The rugby squad’s presence in the city centre has already stirred tensions in the Argentine capital, particularly following an incident involving Henry Pollock, who was caught shushing Argentina’s fans before the Three Lions’ exit from the World Cup.
The 21-year-old was filmed giving thumbs-down gestures, sticking his tongue out, and making shushing motions towards Argentine fans, provoking a response that included one supporter striking the bus windows in frustration. Borthwick defended his player, saying: “Henry’s full of character. We want character in our game, and we want character in our squad. This squad really embraces what he brings.”
Saturday’s encounter in Santiago del Estero, some 600 miles north-west of Buenos Aires, kicks off at 8:10pm. England arrive with an impressive recent record, having won nine of their last 10 fixtures against the Pumas, including both Tests during last summer’s tour. As the team prepares for this pivotal match, the atmosphere surrounding them underscores the passion of the tournament, a reminder of how sport can ignite fervour and division alike.
