A study in emerald Ireland v Argentina down the years
Ireland's previous meetings with Argentina
Non-capped meetings
Ireland toured Argentina in August 1952, playing two non-capped games at the Gymnastics and Fencing arena in Buenos Aries, drawing 3-3 before winning 6-0.
They returned in 1970, losing both non-capped matches at the Ferro Carril Oeste, 8-3, then 6-3, when Brian O’Driscoll’s father, Frank, lined out at centre alongside Lions representative Barry Bresnihan. Argentina’s first visit to Lansdowne Road came in November 1973 but, again, it wasn’t recognised by the IRFU as a full international. Willie John McBride’s men won 21-8.
Caps may yet be awarded for these matches.
IRELAND 20 Argentina 18
October 27th, 1990 Lansdowne Road
A halfback combination of current referee Alain Rolland, on his debut, and London Irish coach, Australian born Brian Smith featured in the great Hugo Porta’s solitary appearance against Ireland.
Scorers – Ireland: K Hooks try, M Kiernan try, four pens. Argentina: A Macome try, H Porta con, four pens.
IRELAND 32 Argentina 24
August 28th, 1999
Lansdowne Road
Los Pumas got their second fixture against Ireland in a World Cup warm-up. A clever bit of false advertising may have given Warren Gatland’s team the wrong impression.
Scorers – Ireland: K Wood try, M Mostyn try and two pens, D Humphreys four pens.
Argentina: M Scelzo, A Pichot try each, G Quesada two cons, pen.
ARGENTINA 28 Ireland 24 October 20th, 1999
Felix Bollaert Stadium, Lens With Agustin Pichot returning at scrumhalf and several changes up front, Argentina took the lead with a fine try by Diego Albanese, aided heavily by Gonzalo Quesada’s kicking return, before repelling Ireland’s clueless and desperate late onslaught.
Scorers – Argentina: D Albanese try, G Quesada con, seven pens. Ireland: D Humphreys seven pens, dp gl.
ARGENTINA 34 Ireland 23
June 3rd, 2000
Buenos Aries
Despite a strong Irish pack led by Keith Wood, this revenge mission failed - granted, O’Driscoll was injured – as Argentina ran in three tries to underline how difficult they are to beat at home.
Scorers – Argentina: I Corleto, F Mendez, O Bartolucci tries, G Quesada two cons, five pens. Ireland: M O’Kelly, R Henderson, J Bishop (2) tries, D Humphreys pen.
IRELAND 16 Argentina 7
November 23rd, 2002
Lansdowne Road
In monsoon conditions a clever up and under by O’Driscoll broke off Ignacio Corleto for Girvan Dempsey to score. Ronan O’Gara did the rest to ensure Ireland finished the year with a sixth straight victory.Scorers – Ireland: G Dempsey try, R O’Gara con, three pens. Argentina: R Martin try, F Contepomi con.
IRELAND 16 Argentina 15 October 26th, 2003
Oval Stadium, Adelaide Alan Quinlan dislocated his shoulder crossing for the game’s only try as victory put Ireland into the World Cup quarter-finals in a contest that is also remembered for the subsequent suspensions of Roberto Grau and Mauricio Reggiardo for gouging.
