Eight years ago, a young Guido Petti posed for pictures with Juan Martin Hernandez when Argentina defeated France to claim a third-place finish at the 2007 World Cup. On Sunday, the pair will attempt to guide the Pumas into their first final when they take on Australia at Twickenham.
Last month, shortly before Argentina embarked on their enthralling run into the last four, Petti dug out his keepsake from that historic night at the Stade de France and showed it to Hernandez.
"We laughed a lot. He laughed at it and said 'oh, time flies'," Petti said at Argentina's Pennyhill Park base ahead of the clash with the Wallabies. "I was 13 then, it was such a big moment for Argentina. I went to that World Cup, watching matches in France. Now I'm playing next to him."
It has been a long journey for the second rower. Aged five, he was taken to San Isidro by his father -- a former Puma who played at the club for 14 years - and his love affair with rugby began, only stopping for a two-year hiatus to play tennis as a teenager. It is where he watched club legend Brian Anthony, his first rugby hero.
"I never thought in 2007 I would be at this World Cup as a player," Petti said. "That was just a dream back then. All I was thinking about was playing for San Isidro. [Brian] was the guy I looked up to growing up. Last Sunday I saw him in the crowd at the Ireland game, which was very nice."
Now, Petti has turned hero for Argentina's next generation. The 20-year-old is part of a young, dynamic Pumas side intent on going one better than their 2007 vintage. The 2012 inclusion into the Rugby Championship may have evaporated the surprise factor that caught the rest of the world cold eight years ago, but head coach Daniel Hourcade's preference for an attacking brand of rugby has more than made up the difference.
However, the experience of Hernandez, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and Marcos Ayerza -- the only three members of the current squad to have played in the Bronze Medal match against France -- has been vital in helping the younger players harness their emotions on the big stage.
"There is a lot of anxiety -- it is a very young team," Petti said. "Guys like Lobbe and Hernandez, who have already played in some World Cups, have made us calm. They have helped us a lot. They are fundamental. We are all very emotional -- maybe that is how Argentinians are. We get emotional in the [national] anthem because we think about family, the country and what it has taken in life to get to that moment."
After an opening defeat by defending champions New Zealand, emphatic victories against Georgia, Tonga and Namibia saw Argentina secure second spot in Pool B. Another exhilarating performance against Ireland followed as the southern hemisphere nations took a stranglehold on the semifinal spots.
Michael Cheika's Australia represent Argentina's toughest test in England -- Petti was quick to pay tribute to their "good scrum" forged by former Pumas hooker Mario Ledesma - but, whatever the outcome in south-west London, contesting a second semifinal in three World Cups will have a positive influence on their future development. A maiden World Cup triumph may not be too far away.
"Every World Cup is different - a lot of teams can appear, like Japan have done here," Petti said. "It's day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year - but yes, Argentina can one day be champions."