Argentina 24-31 England: Head coach Felipe Contepomi says visitors showed ‘lack of respect’ and walks out of press conference | Rugby Union News
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi stormed out of his press conference and accused England of showing a “lack of respect” following Saturday’s controversial Nations Championship clash.
Contepomi took exception to the music and cheering that could be heard coming from England’s dressing room as they celebrated a 31-24 win in Santiago del Estero.
He asked the England representative present in the room to make the noise stop, but then lost patience and left after only four minutes of the press conference saying that he was leaving because of the “lack of respect” being shown.
It was the final controversial moment on an evening that had seen seven players sent to the sin bin, Falklands Islands banners in the crowd and a disallowed try in the third minute of overtime that, if converted, would have snatched a draw for Argentina.
England head coach Steve Borthwick did complete his media duties, but refused to talk about the ill-discipline that almost cost his side once again.
Argentina’s fans held up a banner reading in Spanish “The Malvinas are Argentine”, referring to the Falkland Islands
Argentina wore commemorative jerseys inspired by the infamous 1986 football World Cup quarter-final victory over England
The visitors led 19-3 at half-time, but Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Iyogun were all sin-binned in the second half, forcing them to play a total of nine minutes with 13 men including the final moments of the match.
England players have now received 14 yellow cards in the last eight Tests, but Borthwick was irritated by questions about his side’s discipline.
He said: “I don’t think now is the time to be digging into that.
“This team has done really, really well. It was a tough Test match, a fantastic Test match, we scored some wonderful tries and as ever you guys concentrate on the negativity.
“You’re like the negativity committee so it’s lovely coming and talking to you again.”
Borthwick: Our players showed ‘incredible spirit’
Tommy Freeman argued with Argentina’s Mateo Carreras during an ill-tempered clash
Saturday’s chaotic clash ends the summer for England’s players with Henry Slade’s magnificent late tackle on Bautista Delguy ultimately securing the victory.
Argentina felt Delguy had scored only for video referee Brett Cronan to rule out the try because it was grounded on the sideline.
Borthwick said: “I’m delighted for the players. They showed incredible spirit, led brilliantly by Jamie George
“Matches between England and Argentina, whatever the sport, seem to end up being very tight late on and full of drama,
“It’s almost unfair to pull out one example but Henry Slade’s tackle at the end was incredible.
“It shows the fight that’s in this group of players, as well as their togetherness and connection.
“Right now these players deserve a fantastic holiday, a good night out and a good rest.
“They’ve worked hard and it’s been a season that’s been going a while.
“We all know about the number of minutes the English players play and these guys have stuck it right to the very end.”
