See below for post-match reaction to Ireland’s 22-20 first Test loss from Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan, scrum half Isaac Boss, lock Malcolm O’Kelly, flanker Keith Gleeson, and Argentinian half-backs Felipe Contepomi and Nicolas Vergallo.
EDDIE O’SULLIVAN:
“I think the big problem was discipline. I talked to the players and said they played well but discipline was the problem.
“We gave away too many penalties, especially in the second half. In the first half, we were controlling the game. Argentina took the upper hand after the break and took their opportunities very well.
“But in the end, either side could have won it.
“He (Felipe Contepomi) had a super game. I said yesterday that he could be the difference between the two teams and he was. But (Brian) Carney did a good job and it was an inexperienced back line. Despite some mistakes, I’m happy with his performance and I told him that.
“There are a lot of areas that we must improve ahead of the second Test. Defensively we played quite well, but perhaps attacking-wise, building better platforms and controlling the ball a bit better are some points to work on for next Saturday. And certainly discipline is one area – we know we need to stop giving away so many penalties.”
ISAAC BOSS:
“It started so well, so positively. In the first half we did a lot of things well and controlled Argentina. But in the second half we made a lot of mistakes and they won with a bit of our help.
“It was such a good start with an intercept try by Carns (Brian Carney). The score after half-time was a really important one for them. And when they nicked a score to bring it to within a point, we came back with a (penalty) try. If we put points on after that it would have been crucial. But somehow they got back into the game.
‘You knew when we arrived here what a special place it is. Every one has been great in Santa Fe. We got a hostile reception when we ran onto the field, but that’s good, it helped us to get up for the game. You know after that you’ve got to front up or you’re going to be smashed and I think our boys fronted up.
“There might not be as much to work on for next week though. They’re definitely beatable. We lost to them in Buenos Aires on the 2000 tour, so we want to get a win there.”
MALCOLM O’KELLY:
“I’ve got to take my hat off to Felipe (Contepomi). He was just outstanding. We see it week in, week out over in Leinster. It was a bit of a one-man show today. In the build up to Felipe’s drop goal, we turned over a ball which we stole at their lineout. We don’t exactly know how it actually happened, but somehow it came out the wrong side, and they were very quick to pounce. But next week we’ll have a chance to even the score.”
KEITH GLEESON:
“We’re disappointed. We went into the break at half-time doing well but in the second half we just gave away too many penalties and (Felipe) Contepomi just punished us. Every time we gave away one penalty, he was there to score it and that’s the way they took away our lead.
“I insist on being disappointed because we played quite well up to the last stages of the second half.
“It was very similar to the match we played in Adelaide in 2003, as that game came down in the last 10, 15 minutes and the score went both ways. I think it was a great game to watch from the spectators’ point of view here in Santa Fe. It was intense and both teams had chances to win it.”
FELIPE CONTEPOMI:
“It would have been unfair if we had lost. I think it was a good performance. We dominated the game for long periods despite being behind for almost the whole game.
“We also managed to score a try, so a defeat would have been unfair. Luckily, it turned out well for us in the end.”
“I am not well-known for drop goals but sometimes they come off for me! It was something we’ve worked on in training.”
NICOLAS VERGALLO:
“It was a very close game. Ireland caused a number of problems for us in the first half. Then in the second, we showed a better attitude and won the game.
“We failed to control the ball in several rucks but when we kept the ball, we managed to turn it around.”
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