Rugby vs. the World: Rugby Saddles up Against Polo

Argentinian rugby legend Filipe Contepomi took on Argentinian polo legend Nacho Novillo Asrada as the Webb Ellis Cup headed to South America for the first of two stops on the Ruby World Cup Trophy Tour.

The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour touched down in beautiful Buenos Aires last week for the first of two stops on the South American leg of the tour. It’s the sixth stop on a one-year, 15-country celebration of Rugby as we countdown to Rugby World Cup 2015 less than a year from now.

VIDEO: Watch the Rugby vs Polo highlights here!

Rugby vs. Polo

Argentina’s capital city also played host to the fifth edition of DHL’s Rugby vs. the World Challenge – the light-hearted competition pitting the sport of rugby against a local favorite at each stop of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.

Former Argentinean Rugby captain, Rugby World Cup legend and the Puma’s all-time leading points scorer – Felipe Contepomi – took on one of the nation’s best Polo players, Nacho Novillo Astrad.

The two sportsmen went head to head in three challenges: a rugby, a polo and a neutral challenge: lasso throwing in honor of the Argentinian gauchos. Despite it being a friendly duel among friends – and the two have known each other since childhood – the desire to win and walk away with bragging rights was obvious. But they weren’t taking things too seriously.

“With his practice I’m getting quite worried. He’s getting quite good.” Felipe said with a smirk before the challenge to underway.

Real challenges, real fun

Starting with Rugby, two tested their skills by trying to hit a DHL box with three chip kicks and three grubber kicks apiece. Joking about their Rugby playing days as kids, this challenge proved to be harder than it looks, with Nacho managed to edge out his friend 1-0 on the very last kick to a lot of laughter and cheering!

“It was thanks to his tips, and a lot of luck,” Nacho said afterward.

“Knowing Nacho, he’ll try to give me a difficult horse.” (Felipe Contepomi)

Next, the men suited up for the Polo challenge. “Knowing Nacho, he’ll try to give me a difficult horse,” Felipe said before they got started.

Despite Felipe shooting from the 30 yard mark while his opponent shot from 60 yards, Nacho – considered the Lionel Messi of his sport – had the clear advantage. The World Polo Champion demonstrated his famous in a 2-1 win over Felipe, who impressed all in attendance with being rather saddle-fast himself.

Although that win sealed the overall victory for Polo, the two pressed on to the neutral challenge: lasso throwing. This ancient skill was one of the primary weapons of Argentinian gauchos, the nomadic and colorful horseman of the Argentinean and Uruguayan grasslands whose folk-hero status is akin to that of the cowboys of the Wild West of North America.

“I really don’t know what the gauchos do to catch cows with this thing – it’s easier to shoot them.” (Felipe Contepomi)

Plus, the two were simply having way too much fun to stop there. And, Felipe added: “Although Nacho is my friend, I don’t want to lose 3-nil.”

The challenge was to lasso a DHL box, and Felipe, determined to walk away having given his childhood-friend a run for his money, showed everyone just how important timing and good reflexes really are for a Rugby player, the box 2 out of 3 times to Nacho’s nil.

The final score: Rugby 1; The World 2. But there were certainly no hard feelings between the two old friends.

“The highlight is to be here with a friend, practicing two different sports, and also being able to help the World Cup in Argentina – in our home town in our home country,” said Felipe. “It was a great honor and I enjoyed it a lot, the whole day.”

After challenges in 5 different countries, the current standing in the Rugby vs. the World Challenge is: Rugby 6, The World 7.

Next up: Luis "Bicho"Silveira took on Uruguayan rugby legend Gustavo Zerbino in Rugby vs. Basketball in Uruguay. Who claimed victory? Stay tuned.

While you're waiting, catch up on all the Trophy Tour videos here!