Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has accused England flanker Tom Curry of “bullying” behaviour following a heated tunnel confrontation at Twickenham on Sunday.
The flashpoint came after Curry’s 76th-minute tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia left the fullback with a suspected ACL injury that forced Los Pumas to finish the match with 14 men.
“I am not a good English speaker but I would call it reckless,” Contepomi said of the challenge that came just after Mallia’s clearing kick. “We ended up playing with 14, they ended up with 15 and it was not even checked out [by the match officials].”
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But it was the post-match incident that truly incensed the 48-year-old Argentinian.
“And Curry, let me say, it is not only that because probably it is part of his nature to bully people. But he came off in the tunnel and he gave me a little smack. I’m 48,” Contepomi said, before clarifying: “Not a smack, a push, a hit here on the chest. So maybe it is his nature I don’t know.”
According to Contepomi, Curry approached to greet one of the Argentina coaches but was rebuffed because the visitors were upset about the injury.
“He was coming and said ‘mate you broke his knee’,” Contepomi explained. “He was reckless and broke our player’s knee. I know it is rugby but if we don’t look after each other in rugby it could be dangerous.”
Contepomi said Curry swore and pushed him in response.
“Maybe that is the way he is, I don’t know him. I am not happy with the situation, after breaking someone’s knee I think you need to be at least humble enough and respectful to say ‘sorry I did something wrong’ but he went the opposite. Maybe it is his way of being a bully.”
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England coach Steve Borthwick leapt to his player’s defence.
“I think that anybody in this room who has had any contact with Tom Curry knows there’s a character of a man. His character is impeccable. He’s a fantastic team man, a very respectful guy,” the former England captain said.
“I think Tom Curry’s character is unquestionable. I’m unaware of what happened in the tunnel, but post-game, on the pitch, emotions are always flying high.”
The 27-23 victory was England’s third over Argentina this year following two July Test wins in Buenos Aires, and extended their winning streak to 11 matches against all opponents.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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