The Japan Times - 'Healthy competition' with Carreras drives Sanchez to 100th Argentina cap

Brive's Sanchez, 34, will reach the landmark in Nantes on Saturday more than 13 years after his debut.

He has been competing for the Pumas' No. 10 shirt with livewire Carreras since the 25-year-old made his own Test bow in 2019.

Carreras has been preferred by head coach Michael Cheika in recent seasons as the Gloucester playmaker offers more creativity in attack.

"The competition we have is very healthy, because behind that competition there is a great friendship," Sanchez told reporters.

"We have known each other for years, we made a great friendship at the 2019 World Cup and for me he is like a little brother.

"There is a very nice relationship," he added.

Sanchez has played the majority of his club rugby in France with clubs such as Bordeaux-Begles, Toulon and Stade Francais.

"When I was 12 or 13 years old I went with friends to see the Pumas play against Australia on the Estadio Monumental," Sanchez said.

"We told ourselves that we were not going to stop until we got to play with them, so we are very happy with what we achieved," he added.

- 'Run out of gas' -

The match in Brittany is the 37th meeting between the South American rivals, but the first at a World Cup.

Uruguay are the third country from the continent at this year's edition of the tournament, a record high.

"South American rugby is growing and this World Cup is showing it with the matches that Uruguay and Chile are playing," Sanchez said.

"It is great to be able to continue with this development and having two South American teams face each other tomorrow is very nice for rugby in the region," he added.

Chile, known as Los Condores, are making their first appearance at a World Cup.

They have conceded 156 points in losses to Japan, Samoa and England despite showing promise early on in games.

"A good result would be to spend as much time as possible in the game," Chile kicking coach Federico Todeschini told reporters.

"The last game with England we were only able to play for 20 minutes, it was not enough and we were not happy.

"The team has shown that it is up to the task in attack, but by not playing games at this level, we run out of gas before the end.

"If we have more games at this level, we will last longer in the contest," the former Argentina fly-half added.

Y.Watanabe--JT