Amidst cherished memories of his time in Ireland, Argentine coach Felipe Contepomi focuses on the present challenge, aiming to lead his team to a historic victory against a formidable Irish side.
Felipe Contepomi’s return to Ireland may evoke memories of his remarkable playing career at Leinster, but as Argentina gets ready to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, the spotlight is squarely on the present and the challenges that lie ahead. Contepomi, who played for Leinster with distinction from 2003 to 2009 before coming back as the province’s attack coach in 2018, has strong ties to Irish rugby. Now 47 and serving as the head coach of Argentina, he shares a special bond with Dublin, a city where he spent a significant portion of his adult life. Nevertheless, he stays focused on his responsibilities, placing Argentina’s development above any personal reflections.
‘I have very fond memories of Dublin,’ Contepomi stated. ‘I cherish the city and its people, and I spent 10 years here, which is a significant part of my life. However, this isn’t about me—it’s about Argentina and the opportunity to compete against one of the top teams in world rugby today.’ Contepomi’s connection to Ireland is unmistakable. His children were born here, and the country significantly influenced his rugby career. Nevertheless, as he looks forward to the test on Friday, his focus is entirely on how Argentina can rise to meet the challenge posed by the Irish team.
Ireland boasts a strong record against Argentina, having triumphed in 13 out of the 19 matches played between the two sides, including all ten matches held on Irish territory. Nevertheless, Contepomi remains unfazed by these historical figures. 'It’s a significant challenge for us,' he remarked. 'We understand that it has never been accomplished, but we are here to change that. We take pride in competing against the best, and that’s precisely what we’ve been training for.'
Contepomi's extensive knowledge of several players on the Irish team brings an interesting dynamic to the upcoming match. Having previously coached five of Ireland's seven starting backs, he is well-acquainted with their strategies and game plans. Nevertheless, he adopts a pragmatic view regarding the possible benefits of his insider perspective. 'It's not just about me knowing the players,' Contepomi stated. 'The Irish players need to do their homework on us as well. It goes both ways – they are familiar with me, and I am familiar with them.'
Under Contepomi's leadership, Argentina has been steadily progressing, notching up significant wins such as a split series with France, a victory over South Africa in Santiago, and a memorable triumph against the All Blacks in New Zealand. However, for the Argentine coach, the emphasis extends beyond just the results. 'While results boost confidence, true progress is realized through the execution of what we practice on match day,' he stated. 'It’s all about consistency and precision. We are increasingly implementing what we’ve trained for, and that is our yardstick for measuring progress.'
For Contepomi, the focus of the game is to keep Argentina on a positive trajectory, prioritizing the processes that will ensure long-term success instead of only concentrating on the final outcome. His coaching style is systematic, emphasizing the importance of execution and ongoing improvement, both of which will be essential when facing a team of Ireland’s quality. As Argentina seeks to achieve a milestone against Ireland, Contepomi’s composed and thoughtful approach will undoubtedly benefit the team.
