GREGOR TOWNSEND believes Scotland are now playing knockout rugby at the World Cup and can surprise the New Zealand public with victory in Sunday’s vital Pool B clash with Argentina.

Victory over the Pumas on Sunday in Wellington would ensure Scotland extend their record of reaching at least the quarter-finals at every World Cup ahead of the October 1 bout with England in Auckland.

But the common belief is that Argentina will finish runners-up to England in Pool B and face the All Blacks in the last eight.

Scotland have seemingly been dismissed as potential opponents for the hosts after under-par showings in the opening wins over Romania and Georgia - something which could help Andy Robinson’s men.

Scotland attack coach Townsend said: “Now and again you catch the New Zealand television coverage of the World Cup and I think they’re maybe reading a bit too much into our first two performances and have written us off as not getting through.

“We might use that as motivation, but we believe that these two matches are the challenges that we want to step up for.

“This is like a quarter-final already – the loser is going to find it tough to get into the next stage of the tournament.”

Scotland were beaten 19-13 by Argentina in the quarter-final in Paris four years ago as the Pumas went on to finish third in the tournament.

In June 2010, Scotland exacted their revenge, beating Argentina 2-0 to claim a first southern-hemisphere Test series success.

Townsend, head coach Robinson and the players will take belief from the wins in South America, but know Argentina pose a more formidable challenge now.

Townsend added: “Most of our players that are here were involved in that Test series. The players know what’s needed, but we’ll be reminding them this week that we need much more because Argentina are better than what they were a year ago.

“This will be a much tougher challenge than what we faced in Argentina.”