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Ireland coach Andy Farrell said he would appreciate Friday’s nervy 22-19 win over Argentina because they did something they failed to do in the loss to New Zealand, namely “ugly win”.
The Irish dominated the first part of the game, leading the Pumas by 13 points at half-time with three tries, but just like against the All Blacks last Friday, a lack of discipline and poor play allowed their opponents to seize the initiative.
“It was three or four games in a row, wasn’t it?” said the 49-year-old Farrell.
“Of course the prevailing feeling is that we are happy about the win. We said last week that we had an ugly chance of winning. We did that this week, that’s a plus.”
Farrell said in a television interview after the game that Ireland’s discipline had been “desperate” at times – they conceded 13 penalties – but he was more measured in a press conference.
“This is something we have actually excelled at over the last decade,” he said.
“It’s not because players go out to be undisciplined. It comes from the right place, in case that sounds stupid.”
“They’re just trying to do the right thing for their team. They just need to be a little more patient individually and trust the team and what they’re about.”
Farrell, who coached the Irish to back-to-back Six Nations titles including last year’s Grand Slam, said his side was weak in certain areas compared to the All Blacks and Pumas.
“I got part of the answer I wanted after last week,” he said.
“I think if I can try to summarize where we are, I think if you look at two top teams that we played in the first two weeks, it looks like we’re still trying to beat them “find our feet in the intensity of the full 80 minutes.”
– ‘It hurts’ –
Farrell admitted his side’s energy had waned as errors mounted and the steady stream of penalties conceded took its toll on team morale.
“It might look good or bad on camera one (live TV), but off the ball it’s camera two or four for us,” he said.
“We looked lethargic and you could say that was because of the penalties or the lost collision or whatever it may have been.”
“But in general I think the quality of the opponents in the first two games was very strong and will only get better as we go on.”
Farrell hinted that there would be changes for next Saturday’s game against Fiji, adding that Australia’s arrival the following week was a given.
Still, he was pleased with how his team held up both at the end of the first half and after the end.
“They (the Cougars) have improved out of sight,” Farrell said.
For his Argentinian counterpart Felipe Contepomi, who left Dublin defeated with several Pumas teams, another defeat was painful.
“It’s obviously disappointing because it hurts and I hate losing more than what I love, which is winning,” said the 47-year-old.
“So yeah, it’s disappointing. I think we have a lot to improve on, but we have a good platform where we can improve.”
However, Contepomi, who enjoyed some great moments as a player and then assistant coach at Leinster, said he was proud of the way his team fought back.
“In the moments where Ireland really used all the weapons and tricks, we defended well and stayed disciplined. I’m proud of that.”
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