Contepomi Accuses ‘bully’ Curry Of Reckless Tackle And Shoving Argentina Coach

Tom Curry recovered himself astatine nan centre of a large wind aft England’s triumph against Argentina, arsenic Felipe Contepomi accused nan flanker not only of a “reckless” tackle connected Juan Cruz Mallía but of shoving him, nan Pumas’ coach, successful nan passageway afterwards. Mallía, nan full-back, was forced disconnected precocious connected pinch what is thought to beryllium an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which meant Argentina, who had utilized each their replacements, had to decorativeness nan lucifer pinch 14 men.

“How aged is he?” said Contepomi of Curry. “Twenty-seven? And strong. And I americium 48 and he comes and conscionable [shoves me]. I was opinionated there. He was coming successful to opportunity hullo to 1 of our coaches, but we said nary because we were upset. I said: ‘Man, you collapsed his knee,’ and he said: ‘Fuck off,’ and pushed maine for illustration that.

“Maybe that is nan measurement he is, I don’t cognize him. I americium not happy pinch nan situation, aft breaking someone’s knee I deliberation you request to beryllium astatine slightest humble and respectful capable to say: ‘Sorry, I did thing wrong,’ but he did nan opposite. Maybe it is his measurement of being a bully. If we want bullies successful this game, bully connected them. It was a late, precocious tackle, aliases reckless.”

Steve Borthwick was speedy to take sides Curry’s honour. “I’m alert location was an incident,” he said. “I didn’t spot it. I was successful nan changing room. But anybody who has had immoderate interaction pinch Tom Curry knows his characteristic is impeccable. He is simply a awesome squad man, a respectful guy. His characteristic is unquestionable.”

Juan Cruz Mallía is forced disconnected nan transportation aft nan tackle by Tom Curry. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Contepomi had already been progressive successful heated exchanges connected nan touchline complete Curry’s tackle, which occurred successful nan 74th minute, arsenic Argentina were trying to overturn an 11-point deficit. Mallía cleared nan shot and was caught precocious by Curry, an offence for which nan Englishman was penalised. No further action was taken. “I americium not a bully English speaker but I would telephone [it] reckless. We ended up playing pinch 14, they ended up pinch 15 and it was not moreover checked out. I cannot understand it.”

The altercation came astatine nan extremity of an disfigured fewer minutes aft nan last whistle. Curry was embroiled successful a quarrel pinch a number of Argentina’s players, joined quickly by Henry Pollock.

Contepomi was besides upset astir nan usage of nan instrumented mouthguards (IMGs), aliases nan non-use of nan exertion by nan officials. Twice, his fly-half, Tomás Albornoz, was taken disconnected for a caput wounded assessment, because he had clapped while holding his gumshield. But it was nan deficiency of action aft Pablo Matera’s withdrawal, triggered by nan IMG, that worried Contepomi. He felt foul play had been progressive and had not been checked by nan tv lucifer charismatic (TMO).

“One was 100% nan responsibility of 1 of our players. But Matera had to travel retired because it was a caput contact. And it wasn’t checked. So, wherever is nan exertion going? Or what do we usage nan exertion for? I deliberation that misuse aliases maltreatment is not great. The extremity consequence is 12 minutes without our player. So, yes, I’m disappointed. Because it’s each good, but there’s been truthful galore checks. And past you perceive nan TMO talking astir knock-ons aliases ‘it’s passed forward’, and they don’t cheque that.”