Pumas take heart from solving Japan riddle to reach last eight

NANTES, France : Steadily improving from their England debacle, Argentina overcame the surprise tactics of feisty Japan to book their place in the last eight of the Rugby World Cup on Sunday, coach Michael Cheika said.

    "Japan brought a good tactical plan to the match. They caused us problems in the front row and we had to adjust to that," Cheika told a news conference after his Pumas' 39-27 victory at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

    "We only got two penalties with our scrum. We weren't happy but we managed to adjust and get a nice try from that."

    Argentina won the try count 5-3 in a match they always led after centre Santiago Chocobares went over inside the first minute. 

    But Japan hit back every time the Pumas threatened to run away with the score until man-of-the-match Mateo Carreras completed a hat-trick of tries in the 68th minute and Argentina increased their winning margin in the closing minutes. 

    "There were very few lineouts to get more from our mauling," added Cheika of the lack of chances to put one of the Pumas' strengths to more use.

    "But it's a matter of rhythm, the game is there, and I liked that we played the blind side a lot."

    Cheika echoed the gratitude of the squad for the massive support of fans following the team in France despite Argentina's economic woes and was pleased to get another win under his belt.

    The Australian, a World Cup finalist in charge of the Wallabies in England in 2015, said he tends not to look at opponents and is more concerned with his own team's game but had a word about Warren Gatland's Wales team, who the Pumas face next.

    "Wales have had a real focus and stayed clean. I watched them against Australia. Gatland has a very particular style and has infused