Three members of Ireland’s touring squad – Alan Quinlan, Frankie Sheahan and Rob Kearney – spoke to the assembled media in Buenos Aires on Monday. See below for what they had to say.
ALAN QUINLAN:
– ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TOUR –
“I know this tour isn’t really out there in terms of the sporting landscape at home, but it’s huge for us.
“For me and Frankie, as older lads, but also the younger guys like Rob here. It’s probably my last opportunity to play in a World Cup. I just want to play in a winning team and if I’m involved in both matches, great.
“I think the important thing is to hopefully be involved in a winning team, and just as importantly to demonstrate a serious workrate. Mistakes can happen to anyone, but if the work-rate is always there, that’s the crucial thing.”
– ON IRELAND’S RIVALRY WITH ARGENTINA –
“It’s an amazing rivalry against Argentina. In 1999 in Lens Argentina beat us, we defeated them in 2003 and now we are together again.
“It’s a rivalry built over the years. Since 1999, we will always remember Argentina in terms of the World Cup. I was in the stand (for the match) as I wasn’t in the squad. It was the worst dressing room I think I ever been in after that game.
“There is a huge rivalry built up because of that game.”
– ON THE 2003 WORLD CUP MEETING BETWEEN THE SIDES –
“(That game) is a bittersweet memory for me. First, it was fantastic to play in the World Cup. I’d love to achieve that again. It was a fantastic environment to be in and such an honour to be able to start against Argentina and to score that try was great.
“But I injured my shoulder as I scored that try – the injury set me back a couple of years and my involvement with the Irish squad since has been a bit stop-start.”
FRANKIE SHEAHAN:
– ON THE NECK INJURY THAT ALMOST ENDED HIS CAREER –
“If the injury was as serious as everyone said it was, I just wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be that stupid. But I never doubted the fact that I’d play again.”
– ON THE STADIUM IN BUENOS AIRES –
“It’s the most intimidating venue I can remember, even though I didn’t actually take the field (on the 2000 tour to Argentina).
“We were warming up around the dead-ball area and the fans were shouting and roaring, and throwing things. There’s something about the terraces, the north and south ends. They’re rushing forward and back, and really getting involved in it.
“On the day I think we didn’t really perform, some of the players had played in the Heineken European Cup final the week before.”
ROB KEARNEY:
– ON HIS FIRST SENIOR TOUR –
“The fact that we’re all fighting for World Cup places is another incentive. When you pick any team, it’s always ruthless – there’s only so many places going. That’s part of life, and you win some, you lose some.
“This tour is a prime example of only getting one crack and you can’t put too much pressure on yourself. You have to be relaxed and approach it as any other game.”
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