Wood has key role against Pumas

Ireland captain and hooker Keith Wood is shutting out talk of defeat in the past and retirement in the future to focus on the fierce personal battle he faces in the World Cup pool match against Argentina in Adelaide on Sunday.

Wood was 27 when he and Ireland were dumped out of the 1999 World Cup by the Pumas in Lens and now, at 31, he is on the brink of bowing out of the game but knows his country will be relying heavily upon him in a clash with one of the most powerful packs in rugby.