Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has called England flanker Tom Curry a “bully” and accused him of “smacking” him in the tunnel after England’s 27-23 victory on Sunday.
Max Ojomoh starred in his first home start as England held off an Argentina fightback to complete an Autumn clean sweep. However, attention at full-time centred on Curry’s late tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia, which left Mallia with a suspected ACL injury and forced the Pumas to finish the match with 14 men after they had already exhausted their bench.
Argentina had recovered from 17-0 down to reach 17-16 and later closed to 27-23 before a final attack ended when they knocked on at a five-metre lineout. Tempers flared at the final whistle, with Curry and Henry Pollock among those involved in scuffles with Argentina players.
Contepomi criticised the tackle and the match officiating. “I don’t know where to start with it [Curry’s tackle], because I don’t know if it was reckless or slightly late but two weeks ago we had a decision because of the consequence. So if that’s the criteria I can’t understand how we ended up playing with 14,” he said. “I would call it reckless, and we ended up playing with 14, they ended up with 15 and it wasn’t even checked out.”
He added that Curry then confronted him after the game. “Curry, it’s not only that, because it’s probably part of his nature to bully people, but he came off into the tunnel and he gave me a little smack, a push. He’s 27 years old, strong, I’m 48 and he comes and just hits. Luckily there are probably cameras there so I will show it. Maybe they will see it as nothing, no incident. Richard Hill [England Rugby team manager] was there so you can ask him.”
Contepomi said he and his staff refused a post-match greeting because they were angry. “I was standing there, he came over to say hello to one of our coaches and we said no, because we were upset because he was reckless and broke our player’s knee. I know it’s rugby, but if we don’t look after each other in rugby it can be dangerous. When he came, I said: ‘Man you broke his knee,’ he said ‘F*** off’ and pushed me back. Maybe that’s the way he is, I don’t know him. I would say I am not happy with the situation. After breaking someone’s knee you need to at least be humble enough and respectful to say: ‘Sorry, I did something wrong.’ But he went the opposite. Maybe it’s his way of being, a bully. If we want bullies in this game, good on them.”
Contepomi was also frustrated about a suspected high tackle on flanker Pablo Matera that led to a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) but, he felt, was not properly checked by the TMO. “I can continue also. The mouthguard with all its wonderful technology saw us have three HIAs. One was [Pablo] Matera had to come out because of a head contact, and it wasn’t checked. So where is technology going? Or what do we use technology for? He stayed down, because he was a bit light-headed. They just didn’t check it and he comes off. So the end result is 12 minutes without our player for a HIA check, so yeah I’m disappointed.”
England head coach Steve Borthwick responded to Contepomi’s comments by defending Curry while avoiding detailed commentary on refereeing decisions. “I don’t comment on refereeing decisions within the game and in this immediacy post it,” he said. “As for the incident in the tunnel, clearly I’m aware there was an incident, I didn’t see it, I wasn’t there, I was in the changing room at the time. I’m aware of it. I wouldn’t want that in any instance to be the centre of attention of what was a tough, hard Test match where two teams really went at it for the afternoon and that’s all I’ve got to say really about it. I think anyone in this room who has had any contact with Tom Curry knows his character of a man. His character is impeccable, he’s a fantastic team man, a very respectful guy. I think Tom Curry’s character is unquestionable.”
England captain Maro Itoje added that post-match emotions often run high. “I’m unaware of what happened in the tunnel but post-game on the pitch emotions are always flying high. You see that in almost every game, whether it’s Test match or club game or even national one. That’s part and parcel of rugby I guess. Two sides which have a huge amount of respect for one another. We’ve played them three times this year and we know a number of their players from the Premiership and beyond. I think all in all, a tough, tough old Test match.”