ARG team announcement (v JPN): head coach Cheika, captain Montoya, Lavanini, Carreras

Comments from Argentina head coach Michael Cheika, captain Julián Montoya, second-row Tomás Lavanini and winger Mateo Carreras after the announcement of their team for their final Pool D game against Japan at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Sunday, 8 October.

Michael Cheika, head coach

On the side named to face Japan:

"We think it has good balance, not only in the starting XV but also in the eight that finish the game.

"We are happy with the work we’ve done, the competition within the squad. Choosing the team was difficult."

"Lucio (Cinti) returns to the team with the mix of him starting and Matías Moroni finishing. (Tomás) Cubelli is improving the more he plays and with every training session he does, but he started the year without much work; I think that Bazán Vélez's second half last week (against Chile), with a lot of energy, with a lot of danger on the side of the ruck, confirms his selection.

"We are happy with the team we have, with its consistency. The problem is the selection because we have Facundo Isa, Rodrigo Bruni, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Cubelli, who are putting pressure (on the starting XV). Happy, of course, with the group that plays this week."

On pressure as a form of motivation:

"This is why you play rugby; if you want it easy and for the script to be written, don't worry about coming.

"In international rugby, you don't always have games where everything is at stake. We have been doing it since the game against England.

"There was talk about players who will have their first experience in matches of such importance. This is where you learn, you gain experience. They already got experience with the first important match with England where they did not deliver; I feel very good handling that knock-out mentality that we have had since then.

"Coaches have to change the negative and turn it into a positive.

"I feel like we are very happy with that. You have to have a certain level of pressure. They are feeling that pressure for the first time and they are growing. It will be the third elimination match and we hope to have three more from now on."

On playing against Japan:

"I have experience with the country and with the team, with their mentality. It is a very disciplined team, like the country. They know what they want to do strategically as a team in each game.

"We know that they were in the quarter-finals in the last World Cup and not us, so we want to change this situation."

"We know the opponent, but it is more our game and how we can put them in difficulty and take points when we put that pressure on. In our preparation, we have analysed Japan, but more (we have worked) on how to put pressure on them."

Julián Montoya, captain and hooker (pictured)

On the game against Japan:

"It is a defining match. We already analysed them and they are a very disciplined team, with good set-pieces and a very accurate kicker. But we have to focus on ourselves, on how we are going to impose our game, our physicality, our game plan, when scoring points."

On the team’s mental preparation:

"It's based on the week we're having. It is day by day without going to the future. We already did the analysis work for Japan, now it's about our game.

"We know that the game, rugby, life, is not going to be perfect. The issue is how we get out of those moments and make them positive.

"I like to talk about the resilience of the team. Against England, we didn't know how to turn things around and we already made the self-criticism that we had to do. Against Samoa and Chile we found the way. We have very good players with a lot of experience. If we make mistakes, because we are going to make mistakes, the next move we have to do it as best as possible. Always with the focus of winning the game."

Tomás Lavanini, second row

On the game against Japan:

"It is a key match, very important. We prepared very well and we have to grasp the opportunity and showcase the team we want to be.

"Every player knows the role they have to play. No pressure, go and play the game and do what you trained for during the week."

On Japan:

"We know that they are a really tough opponent. A teamwho play tidy rugby, in the lineout, defence, scrum. As forwards, we have to emphasise our scrum, our maul. We have to become strong there."

Mateo Carreras, winger

On the game against Japan:

"Enjoyment is a message that the senior and the staff give us. Let the experienced players handle the pressure. On my side I don't feel that pressure, nerves or anything. I try to earn my place every game. Enjoy every game, every week."

On Japan:

"The backs are encouraged to play, they are good players, with skills, strong in contact, they are encouraged to make those 50-50 passes. We are going to have to anticipate them."