‘King Felipe’ ready for battle

THE pin-up boy of Argentinian rugby alighted from the team bus outside the Pumas team hotel in central Santa Fe to be greeted by a scrum of fanatical teenagers mitching off school.

After Maradona, we are told ‘King Felipe’ is the country’s most recognisable sports star, the new “10” to idolise. Contepomi stops for photos and autographs.

Also, in these parts, Felipe’s brother Bebe is a rock journalist, known as “La Voz del rock”, and has his own television programme.

Santa Fe in terms of landscape and cosmopolitan feel is a million miles from his home in Buenos Aires, but he is comfortable in his surroundings and thrilled the first test was moved to the university town 475km north of the capital and his exclusive Hurlingham suburban home.

“This is real Argentina,” says the ex-Cardinal Newman College Christian Brothers student, who recently qualified as a surgeon, having trained at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. “The policy in the last few years sees us playing around the country. When you have two games against the same team, I think it’s worthless playing both games in Buenos Aires. Playing one in the ‘interior’ as we call it, or inland, is good, and Santa Fe never hosted an international game.

“It’s good for the team to go away from Buenos Aires, because people are really excited the Pumas are here and that Ireland is coming, who are top quality rivals. I think it’s good for rugby in Argentina and it will be good for Ireland to play in two different places. It’s not the most glamorous of places here, and it also gives you a better view of the country. And the reality is Argentina is not just Buenos Aires, it has a lot more.”

The Latin virtuoso returns to Ireland next week to graduate, but tomorrow is “honoured” to captain his country for the first time on home soil. It’s a function he fulfils without fuss with Leinster, in the absence of Brian O’Driscoll, and his role is made easier because of the unity of spirit shown by those who wear the national jersey. If you’re looking for an example where they’re passionate about their country, come to Santa Fe where their most famous boulevard — Avenue San Martin — is dressed wall-to-wall with Argentinean flags.

“Definitely when you’re the captain, there’s a responsibility but I think there’s a really good unity in this team. It’s easy in that sense because you know everyone will give 100%.”

The 29-year-old said: “I think this year for me was really important for my medical studies. I achieved something that I always wanted to. Rugby-wise I think I’m quite dedicated, I spend my time on that.

“Sometimes it’s good to have responsibility and it’s good that people give you that responsibility. I try to concentrate on one thing at a time. When I was studying, I studied, it’s time for my family in the next few weeks. With Leinster I give everything and when I’m with Argentina I play for my country.”

Contepomi understands he may have to adapt his game when alongside a largely untried backline. No galacticos in Leinster colours nor a Pichot nor a Hernandez with Los Pumas, and the belief is tArgentina will revert to a 10-man game.

“You have to adapt but that shows you the strength of a player. A good player is one who can adapt to the rugby style the team requires. Argentina is trying to add something more to rugby. And we have been showing in the last few years that we’re not just a big pack unit. But we have some good backs and we’ll try to surprise the opposition. We know our strength is in the pack, and sometimes we have to play like that.”

Contepomi admits these two test tours will have little relevance on what will happen in Parc des Princes at September’s World Cup, and Argentine coach Marcelo Loffreda — like Eddie O’Sullivan — has left the door open for would-be challengers for squad places or young players who want to take their chance. There are 10 European based players on this “inexperienced” Argentinian team.

Contepomi spoke with Loffreda about the Irish players. His Leinster colleagues and Ireland back row forwards, Keith Gleeson and Jamie Heaslip, will be lining him up for the big hits. “I know the players quite well. I think Ireland is the most improved team in the last four years round the world. Not only their perceived best 15, but they have strength in depth now. There will be players raising their hands to say ‘here I am’ and I wouldn’t be happy if I was one of those that stayed at home because these guys in Argentina can ask questions of the starting 15.

“We know some of those players are in really good form. I play with some of them and they’re all fighting for a place to go to the World Cup. And you never know — maybe a place in the starting 15 in France.”