WITH THE CLOCK running down at Aviva Stadium Argentina had history within their reach. Felipe Contepomi’s men had delivered an energy-sapping second-half defensive effort to hold Ireland scoreless in the second 40, and having clawed a 22-9 half-time deficit back to just three points, the Pumas were in the Ireland 22 and on the prowl.
A nervous home crowd watched on as the visitors inched forward, before an Argentina knock-on triggered a roar of relief as those in blue and white shirts fell to the turf.
To win, or even draw, in Dublin would have felt special for all involved. None would have felt it more than head coach Felipe Contepomi, who called this city home for 10 years as a player and a coach with Leinster.
“Look, it’s disappointing obviously because it hurts and I hate losing more than what I love, which is winning,” Contepomi said.
“The performance itself, we didn’t start well but we got into the game and I think we ended up in good form. When you play against the best teams in the world you know it’s going to go to the 80th minute and it will be small margins, and that was it.
“So yeah, it’s disappointing. I think we’ve a lot to improve but we’ve got a good platform of where to improve.
“We put ourselves in a position to maybe get the opportunity to win the game. Yeah, you missed the opportunity, but at the same time you’re playing against a top team in the world, they won’t give you an easy entrance to their in-goal, you know?”
Some of Argentina’s defensive work was outstanding and while their attack didn’t fire as many shots as they would have liked, their only try of the night was a beauty – the brilliant Juan Cruz Mallía leaving Garry Ringrose, Caelan Doris and Mack Hansen in his wake as a weaved home from distance.
With only 44 minutes played they will feel they should have kicked on from there, but ultimately they could only add a Tomas Albornoz penalty to their total.
“Maybe sometimes you say that you deserve to win or this or that, but deserving is not enough, we need to be better,” added captain Julian Montoya.
“We need to be better, and we need to learn, but I’m very proud of the team and the fight we showed.
We had a lot of positives, some negatives as well and against a quality team like Ireland you pay the price. But we want to improve and we’re going to keep working hard in the week to be better.”
Mixed emotions ahead of a season sign-off in France next week. It’s been a highly encouraging year for Contepomi, who has watched his men record wins against France, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Headline results, but Contepomi sees the bigger picture and would pick holes in each performance. Last night’s determined effort was no different.
“I’m very proud of the boys because, you know, definitely one thing [we need] to get better at is Ireland started fast and we need to start these sort of games better,” Contepomi said.
“But then we stick to it, and we stay there, and we stayed in the game. And in the moments where Ireland really threw all their armament and all their tricks and everything, we defended well, and we kept disciplined.
“We had two-man tackles and moved quickly [to fill the line]. So for us, definitely I’m proud of that and I think it’s part of the game. It’s not only attack but also defence and the boys had a great game in defence, especially the second half.
“Maybe we need to learn to start a bit faster rather than stay comfortable and see how we are and then go. And that’s part of the learning and playing against the top teams in the world because those things happened against New Zealand, South Africa. It happened against Australia in the second Test match as well.
“Now Ireland, teams that they are used to, top four, top teams that they are used to, start like that and so on. So it’s a learning curve for us and yeah, we are trying to find solutions. If you know one give me a ring mate. I welcome it.”
Argentina’s long wait for a first Test win in Dublin continues, but this is a team moving in the right direction.
Contepomi’s half time changeroom rant clearly had the argies come out and play the kinda rugby we have seen all year from them..first half they just defended and sucked up pressure , second half they came out with intent on attack ..Ireland were firing in that first 20 minutes if the first half ..again there were two very kickable penalties for Ireland in that match where I was screaming at the TV for them to take but they chose to go for the corner which unfortunately amounted to nothing .Ireland got the win so that the most important thing .for Argentina, fantastic to see them not just competing with the big boys but actually serious competition for them in 2024..may it continue
@Stuart: Was so obvious to take the points, I dunno if they’re looking for opportunities to get the lineout right but it was a bit dangerous, maybe even disrespectful, those points would have dropped the heads of the Argies comeback imo.
@Thesaltyurchin: 100% always take the 3 points
@Thesaltyurchin: secure the score board especially if they’re gimmies …. Was that inexperience of our captain …. ?
@Den: This should be decided before the game. Take the easy points, unless we’re leading by a huge margin.
@Con Cussed: especially when your lineout & mail are not strengths. I could understand a team turning down 3 points if they had statistics saying they’re coming away >3 points from LO / maul visits to opponents 22 but I really doubt this is case currently from Ireland
@Stuart: the next RWC will probably be most difficult ever to win. NZ, SA, FRA, ENG have too much talent not to be contenders. ARG on a huge upward curve, OZ seem to be improving fast under Schmidt and will have home advantage (huge). IRL will need to improve but I back them to do so under AF and with what is coming through talent wise. One of the teams I mentioned will be a 2nd seed so there will be at least one potentially difficult last 16 tie. Scotland not contenders but definitely capable like Fiji, of taking a scalp. Wakes / Italy – really not clear where they are currently.
@Michael Corkery: yes exciting times , the key here is moving forward and improving within this 4 yr WC cycle ( player management/build depth and consistency in selection/performances) . The boks have used 49 players this season, that’s unreal…all the other SH sides are improving too (NZ will always be a top contender). England although on narrow losses have improved, Ireland , starting to bring in youngsters , will improve.. France looking good we will see more tonight ……I think the top 4-5 will be in with a good shout WC 27…..like was the case last year ..exciting times…
If the had all their best players on the pitch we would have lost. Their is something wrong with this squad