O'Sullivan happy with RWC homework
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan believes he has learnt a lot about his side ahead of the Rugby World Cup despite rounding off their two-Test tour against Argentina with a 16-0 defeat in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
Ireland struggled throughout as Jeremy Staunton missed three penalties, while Federico Todeschini kicked four of five and Manuel Contepomi added a late try for Argentina.
Ireland, who will meet Argentina in their final Group D game at the Rugby World Cup, also suffered a 22-20 defeat in Santa Fe last weekend.
“After two weeks with two Tests I am much clear on the squad that will go to the World Cup,” said O’Sullivan.
“We are a little disappointed because we did not win one Test but the point of this tour was to select some players for the
World Cup, so I knew coming here with that strategy there was a risk we would lose the Tests.”
O’Sullivan admitted that “quite a few” players who travelled to South America will also make the trip to France this autumn.
Ireland met Argentina in Paris on August 30 in Group D, which also includes hosts France and rugby minnows Namibia and Georgia.
“There were some players who will go to France, but I never like to name players because it is not my style, it’s something I usually don’t do,” he added.
“We are also wiser on Argentina now. The more we play the more we learn. We’ve played Argentina quite a lot in recent years we are wiser after every game.
“I’m wiser on Argentina and I’m wiser on my own squad too.
“I knew coming here would be a real test of the players both individually and as a group. They worked very hard and probably deserved to win at least one game. “From my point of view, I’m wiser than I was when we left Ireland.”
O’Sullivan admitted Ireland’s failure to score any points at Velez Sarsfield was not a major concern.
“We should have score some points today, but we missed too many penalties,” he said.
“Kicking was the main difference between the two teams today. Argentina had an accurate kicker, something that we had not.
“I don’t think we’ve played well enough to win. Last week was the game we should have won but couldn’t. We put two very different teams in the two games and we took the risks.”
