Argentina's Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe is not oblivious to the threat posed by Friday's opponents Georgia

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When Argentina face Georgia at Kingsholm today (Friday) they know that a defeat will leave their hopes of progressing from Pool C in tatters.

Defeat against reigning champions New Zealand leaves Argentina pointless and another loss to Georgia would leave the Pumas needing three wins from their final three games to have any chance of making the quarter finals.

On paper it should be an easy win for the South American side, with Argentina ranked five places above their opponents in World Rugby’s rankings, but Georgia showed how strong their team is with an impressive win over Tonga on opening weekend.

“For us it has become a knockout match. If we win, we stay in the competition – if we lose, it’s all over. It’s that simple,” Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe told ESPN.

Georgia’s victory over Tonga came off the back of a dominant display up front, with captain Mamuka Gorgodze putting in a man-of-the-match performance.

And Toulon’s Lobbe knows just what a force his domestic teammate can be but knows the Eurasian side are not just relying on one player, with Georgia possessing a scrum that can more than match Argentina’s own.

“I played against him when he was at Montpellier and it’s easier when you have him on your side. He’s dominant and pushes you forward,” Lobbe added. “He works very, very hard and just loves playing rugby.

“He’s a very good player but we saw against Tonga, their whole team committed in defence. They have a good squad and a very good lineout. There’s a lot of things to think about when it comes to Georgia – Mamuka is one of them but we need to focus on the whole team.”