Juan Figallo does not mind a bit of argy-bargy. He is a prop after all.
But the burly 23-year-old Argentinian cut a far from fearsome-looking figure yesterday, wearing a broad smile and bursting with pride as he was.
It was one of the best days in his life. Figallo made his debut for Argentina against France last year. But to be named in the starting side for the Pumas crucial pool B game against England at Otago Stadium on Saturday night was a tremendous feeling.
"It is really emotional, these things," Figallo beamed.
"When he called my name, it made me really happy."
The moment was also bittersweet. Figallo got the nod over the vastly experienced Martin Scelzo, a veteran of more than 50 tests. Scelzo is in his fourth World Cup and has been a valued mentor to Figallo.
"Martin Scelzo is one of the players I look up to. I saw him in the World Cup in 2007 and he was a really, really good player. I learn a lot from him every training. He say things to me to help me improve my scrum and my playing.
"I don't know how to say, but I have to say thank you Martin for all you teach me."
Figallo also owes his father a debt of gratitude. As a youngster, the 1.88m tighthead preferred basketball.
"I say to my father I want to play basketball and he say, 'OK, but you have to play always rugby'."
England is expected to name its side tomorrow but Andrew Sheridan shapes as Figallo's most likely opponent.
Sheridan is a massive man at 1.90m and 123kg, and the 32-year-old is considered one of the best loosehead props in the world, particular at home in England.
Figallo is relatively inexperienced with just four tests under his belt. But he is also highly rated, so it should be a fascinating battle.
There is a lot at stake in the game, with the winner avoiding a possible quarterfinal clash with the All Blacks.
Pumas coach Santiago Phelan has made one change from the side which lost 28-13 to Wales in Cardiff last month. Experienced centre Gonzalo Tiesi replaces Marcelo Bosch.
Veteran hooker Mario Ledesma will enter the record books as the oldest Argentinian to take the field at a Rugby World Cup. He will be 38 years and 116 days on game day. Only Canada's Mark Cardinal and Uruguay's Diego Ormaechea were older.
Ledesma and talented inside back Felipe Contepomi will join Pedro Sporleder and Agustin Pichot as the only Argentinian players to appear at four World Cups.
Scelzo will join the elite club if he makes it off the bench.
Argentina team
To play England
Martin Rodrdguez, Gonzalo Camacho, Gonzalo Tiesi, Santiago Fernandez, Horacio Agulla, Felipe Contepomi (c), Nicolas Vergallo, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Julio Farias Cabello, Patricio Albacete, Manuel Carizza, Juan Figallo, Mario Ledesma, Rodrigo Roncero.
Reserves: Agustin Creevy, Martin Scelzo, Mariano Galarza, Alejandro Campos, Alfredo Lalanne, Marcelo Bosch, Juan Jose Imhoff.