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Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi stormed out of his press conference to accuse England of showing a “lack of respect” after Saturday’s controversial Nations Championship clash.
Contepomi was exceptional in the music and cheers that could be heard from England’s dressing room as they celebrated a 31-24 win in Santiago del Estero.
He asked England’s representative in the room to stop the noise, but then lost patience and walked out just four minutes into the press conference, saying he was leaving “due to a lack of respect”.
It was the final controversial moment on an evening that saw seven players sent off to the sin bin, a crowd in the Falklands Islands banner and a disallowed try in the third minute of extra time which, if converted, could have robbed Argentina of a draw.
England head coach Steve Borthwick completed his media duties, but refused to talk about the ill-discipline that almost cost his side yet again.
Argentina fans hold a banner reading “The Malvinas Argentinas” in Spanish, referring to the Falkland Islands.
Argentina wore commemorative jerseys inspired by the infamous 1986 World Cup quarter-final win over England
The visitors led 19–3 at half-time, but Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Coles, Henry Pollock and Emmanuel Yogun were all sin-binned in the second half, forcing them to play a total of nine minutes with 13 men, including the final moments of the match.
England players have now picked up 14 yellow cards in the last eight Tests, but Borthwick was annoyed by questions about his team’s discipline.
He said: “I don’t think now is the time to dig it up.
“This team did really, really well. It was a tough test match, a great test match, we scored some great tries and you always focus on the negative.”
“You’re like a negative committee so it’s nice to come and talk to you again.”
Borthwick: Our players showed ‘incredible spirit’
Tommy Freeman argued with Argentina’s Mateo Carreras during a bad-tempered clash
Saturday’s chaotic clash ended the summer for England’s players, with Bautista Delgui finally securing victory after Henry Slade’s brilliant late tackle.
Argentina thought Delgui had scored only for video referee Brett Cronan to rule out the try as it was on the sideline.
Borthwick said: “I’m delighted for the players. They’ve shown incredible spirit, led brilliantly by Jamie George.
“England and Argentina matches, whatever the game, look set to be very late and full of drama,
“It’s almost unfair to drag out one example but Henry Slade’s tackle at the end was unbelievable.
“It shows the unity and connection of the players as well as the fight within this team.
“Right now these players deserve a great holiday, a good night and a good rest.
“They’ve worked hard and it’s been a season that’s been going on for a while.
“We all know how many minutes English players play and these guys stuck it out until the very end.”
