De Luca: Victory is essential

Scotland have won three of their last four Tests with the Pumas and victory at Wellington Regional Stadium on September 25 would secure a sixth successive win and qualification for the quarter-finals.

Head coach Andy Robinson's men would then target victory against England in Auckland on October 1 to finish top of the pool and avoid tournament hosts and current Pool A leaders New Zealand in the first knockout round.

De Luca said: "Victory is essential. We're not going there for any other reason.

"We want this win and we want to go into the last game with six on the bounce and going for the top of the group, those are our goals."

Following the wins in Invercargill over Romania and Georgia, De Luca knows Scotland must sharpen up to triumph over the Pumas.

"It was a very mature, solid performance (against Georgia), but Argentina will pose much more of a threat," De Luca added.

"We definitely will have to up our game and make sure we're more threatening as well."

Argentina finished third at the last World Cup four years ago and are second seeds in Pool B behind England, despite being ranked ninth to Scotland's seventh in the International Rugby Board's world rankings.

De Luca was part of the team which secured Scotland's first southern hemisphere series success in June 2010, when Robinson's men earned a 2-0 win in Argentina.

The Edinburgh centre added: "We beat them twice, but in that second Test (in Mar del Plata) they were on top and we did well to get a victory.

"They'll definitely be buzzing after the Romania game (Argentina won 43-8 yesterday) and will really want to get us back.

"But we've got full confidence we can beat them and that's what we want to do."

De Luca made his World Cup debut against Georgia and was satisfied with his display, which included a number of strong runs and big tackles.

But centre is a competitive position, with De Luca vying with Joe Ansbro for the outside centre berth.

De Luca added: "It was solid. I did my jobs really well in the game and in the conditions I did everything I could.

"If given the chance again hopefully I'll do the same against Argentina.

"It just depends what the coaches want and what they're looking for in the midfield. I just hope I'm lucky enough to be involved."

De Luca was speaking following an open training session at Lower Hutt Recreation Ground to the north east of Wellington.

The 27-year-old needed treatment after stubbing his finger claiming a high ball early on, but was able to take a full part in the remainder of the session.

Four members of Scotland's 30-man squad were absent.

Centre Graeme Morrison, who starred in Argentina in June 2010 and the autumn Tests but missed the RBS 6 Nations with a knee injury, was absent as a precaution due to a slight knee strain.

Full-back Rory Lamont rested a tight Achilles, while hooker Scott Lawson's calf injury is improving. Euan Murray was absent due to his religious beliefs.

Tighthead prop Murray is set to miss the Argentina match, which also takes place on a Sunday.