Argentina 24-31 England: Head coach Felipe Contepomi says visitors showed ‘lack of respect’ and walks out of press conference | Rugby Union News
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi stormed out of a press conference and accused England of showing “disrespect” following Saturday’s Nations Championship clash.
Contepomi made an exception to the music and cheers that could be heard coming from the England dressing room as they celebrated a 31-24 victory in Santiago del Estero.
He asked the representative of England who was present in the room to stop the noise, but he lost patience and left after only four minutes of the press conference saying that he was leaving because of the “lack of respect” shown.
It was the final moment of controversy on a night that saw seven players sent to the sin bin, Falklands Islands banners in the crowd and a disallowed try in the third minute of extra time which, if converted, would have robbed Argentina of a draw.
England manager Steve Borthwick has ended his media career, but refused to comment on the misconduct that nearly cost his team yet again.
Argentina wears a commemorative jersey inspired by England’s victory in the quarter finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
The visitors led 19-3 at the break, but Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Iyogun were sin-binned in the second half, forcing them to play the full nine minutes with 13 men including the final minutes of the game.
England players have received 14 yellow cards in the last 8 Tests, but Borthwick has been angered by questions about his team’s behaviour.
He said: “I don’t think now is the time to dig into that.
“This team did very well. It was a tough Test match, a good Test match, we scored some very good tries and as usual you guys focused on looking bad.
“You’re like the negativity committee so it’s nice to come and talk to you again.”
Borthwick: Our players showed ‘amazing spirit’
Tommy Freeman clashed with Argentina’s Mateo Carreras during an angry clash
Saturday’s upset ended the summer for England’s players when Henry Slade’s late strike from Bautista Delguy sealed victory.
Argentina saw that Delguy had scored only for video referee Brett Cronan to award the try because it was onside.
Borthwick said: “I’m delighted with the players. They showed incredible spirit, led by Jamie George.
“England-Argentina games, regardless of the game, seem to end up being tight late on and full of games,
“It’s unfair to single out one example but Henry Slade’s performance at the end was amazing.
“It shows the fight in this group of players, and their unity and communication.
“Right now these players deserve a good holiday, a good night out and a good rest.
“They have worked hard and it has been a long season.
“We all know the number of minutes England players play and these boys held it until the end.”
