Iberians in the World Rugby Classic at Nationals this evening (7.00 p.m.).

The home side saw plenty of the ball against Argentina in Sunday's tournament opener, but were unable to make their possession count.

The Pumas, last year's champions, ran out 36-5 winners with Peter Shillingford scoring Bermuda's consolation try.

Disappointed but not disheartened Shillingford said: "Obviously they were a very well organised, very fit side. It was always going to be difficult.

"They were a bit more powerful in the back and up front and it's always going to be difficult when you are on the back foot. "It was disappointing but I thought the boys played quite well and didn't make it easy for them and the scoreline probably didn't do us justice really. I thought we played a lot better than that.'' Shillingford said what Bermuda came up against was only what other sides who had played the Pumas had experienced.

"That was what happened last year for a lot of the sides. They pressurised the Argentinians but their defence is quite strong. It will be a good game against the New Zealanders now. They are a very good side -- obviously they wouldn't have won the championship last year if they weren't.'' Looking ahead to tonight's match against Spain/Portugal, Shillingford said he expected it to be an entertaining encounter against the Classic debutants who went down 45-15 to the All Blacks.

"It's their first experience of the tournament and obviously the first game was always going to be difficult for them. Against New Zealand they didn't know what to expect,'' he said.

"They've had a good look now and from what I can see they are quite a fit side. They like to throw it around and I think we are going to do the same and make it an entertaining game and hopefully if we get the luck of the bounce we should come out with a result.'' Shillingford said the team were not going to introduce any radical changes to tactics, but would aim to impose themselves more on the opposition.

"The Iberians are very similar to the Argentinians. We will probably try a few different things but we are not going to have a complete change around in our game,'' he said.

Some changes, though, will be forced upon the home side with injuries sidelining three players.

"Jeff Merker won't be playing. He had a few stitches in his head and we are going to bring Jason Scott in.

"It wasn't malicious it was just one of those things that happen. We have one or two other injuries -- Dave Bird is out with a broken arm. He came on for five minutes, broke his arm and came off. Colin Targett is out as well with a shoulder injury,'' Shillingford said.

While they could have done without the withdrawals, Shillingford said they had adequate contingency plans.

"We had already got replacements pencilled in case anything like that happened, which it usually does. It's a tough week and things like that usually happen,'' he said.

As for his own prospects in the game, Shillingford said he would be going all out to add to his try tally.

"I would love to get over for a couple. But if we win and the boys play well I can't ask for any more than that. It would be great to get to the Plate final and be there on finals day,'' he said.

Argentina will have to pass a stern test if they are to stand any chance of holding on to their World Rugby Classic title.

The Pumas saw off the challenge of Bermuda in the opening match of the Millennium tournament on Sunday but the mighty All Blacks will provide much tougher opposition tonight (8.30 p.m.).

The All Blacks despatched the joint Spain/Portugal side by 45-15 on Sunday afternoon and apart from a few lapses of concentration which allowed the Iberians to run in three tries they looked to be playing well within their capabilities.

Led by lock Andy Haden, the veteran lock, the All Blacks will be looking to go one stage further than their semi-final exit last year.

With additions to their side coming from Samoa and Tonga they make a formidable opposition -- but if anyone can spring a surprise it is perhaps the Pumas.

With a blend of pace and power they are a match for anyone on their day, and though they complain that the years are getting beyond them, you can bet tonight there will be no quarter asked or given.

Captain Courageous: Bermuda skipper Bobby Hurdle (second from left) gets to grips with an Argentine opponent during the World Rugby Classic curtain-raiser on Sunday.