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Ireland try new blood in Rugby World Cup friendly By
David Thorpe
Ireland’s preparations for the Rugby World Cup were boosted as
they fought a vastly more experienced Argentina for most of this match
and conceded a late Phillipe Contepomi penalty to lose against the South
American side they will face in the World Cup in three months.
The Irish management were anxious to draw positives form this game. None
of the players who started for Ireland were regulars during the Six Nations
as the Irish management sought to discover which players would be taken
to the World Cup in France later this summer.
Munster’s Brian Kearney sent Ireland into an early lead, along with
kicks from Paddy Wallace, but Contepomi matched Wallace kick for kick
and the veteran Dublin-based Argentine captain forced over a penalty try
just before half time to ensure a close match.
With the Argentina pack having the better of the exchanges, Ireland were
conceding a lot of ground in the second-half, but continued to battle
well. Kearney and full-back Gavin Duffy shone for Ireland, with the latter
taking over the place-kicking duties when Paddy Wallace departed the fray
carrying an injury.
Contepomi’s last minute penalty meant Argentina sealed the win,
but rugby observers point to the fact that Ireland played a severely weakened
squad, with Gerry Flannery the only player who will be challenging for
a starting place when the World Cup begins. Malcolm O’Kelly has
entered the veteran stages of his career, but he showed why he is the
most capped Irish player in history with a fearsome performance here.
But it is Gavin Duffy at full-back, Brian Kearney on the wing and Leinster’s
Kieran Lewis who have helped their case for inclusion in the world cup
squad.
When Ireland face Argentina in July it is likely that none of those players
will start and while Argentina were short of some of their better players,
it is Ireland manager Eddie O’Sullivan who will be relishing the
re-match. |
