A new name is certain to appear on the World Rugby Classic trophy after tonight's final between Argentina and first-time finalists Canada at the National Sports Club.

The Pumas overcame the defending champions, the Classic Lions, 15-5 in Saturday's semi-final and may start as slight favourites.

Blessed with an abundance of flair and creativity, the Argentine backs provided some of the most entertaining rugby of the tournament when they racked up 26 points in a blistering 20-minute spell during their first-round victory against South Africa.

The speed of winger Christian Mendy and centre Diego Cuesta Silva, as well as the guile of flyhalf Rafael Madero, will be a handful for Canada.

But defence appears to be a strength of a Canadian side which has not yet conceded a try in the tournament.

After scoring five tries and playing some wonderful running rugby in an open game against France in the first round, Canada battled their way through a fiercely competitive 5-0 semi-final win in a completely different game against New Zealand on Sunday.

They survived in the face of unrelenting second-half pressure from the All Blacks and how much energy that victory took out of them -- bearing in mind they have had a day's less recovery time than the Pumas -- could be a key factor tonight.

In Gord McKinnon and number eight Ian Gordon, Canada can boast two of the tournament's fastest-moving forwards, who also have the combined experience of nearly 70 international caps. Gordon ran nearly half the length of the field to score against France.

Captain and centre Tom Woods is a colussus in defence as well as attack and will also be a major threat to the Pumas.

Woods was wary of the threats posed by the talented South Americans.

"The Pumas have a fairly young squad, they are a well organised team and they train a lot,'' said Woods.

"We will just have to play in defence as well as we did against New Zealand.'' Argentina have reached the Classic final once before, two years ago, when they went down 35-10 to the Lions.

Canada have never reached the final, but last year tasted some success by winning the Plate final 41-19 against France.

The only teams to have won the Classic in its 11-year history are New Zealand (seven times), the Lions (three times) and Wales, who won the first final against England in 1988.

Tonight's action will open with the Plate final between South Africa and the United States (kick-off 7.00 p.m.), in what promises to be an open and entertaining clash.

The Plate is the consolation prize for the teams knocked out in the first round of the tournament proper and the Springboks trounced Bermuda 32-7 to reach the final, while the US beat France 40-20.

The Pumas/Canada clash will follow at 8.30 p.m.