Contepomi sticks up for his brother

Argentina centre Manuel Contepomi has mocked suggestions twin brother Felipe is flaky under pressure.

The Contepomis will form the midfield partnership when Argentina meet Ireland at the Parc des Princes tomorrow.

At stake is the ease of team’s passage through the knockout stages with a single match point ensuring the Pumas will avoid New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Felipe has a reputation for going missing in big games but Manuel insists the gifted Leinster back thrives when the heat is on.

He said: “If you try to pressure Felipe he is one of the players in this team that will handle it without any problems.

“He likes playing as a fly-half but he plays just as well as a wing or centre.”

Ireland have possibly the game’s finest centre pairing in Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy but they have been living on reputation in this World Cup.

They have struggled to make any impact in France – particularly D’Arcy – but Manuel Contepomi believes the will pose a major threat tomorrow.

“The Irish pair are as good as France’s centres,” he said.

“I believe alongside Yannick Jauzion, O’Driscoll and D’Arcy are probably the best centres in the world.

“To play against them I have to analyse their virtues and abilities.”

Contepomi insists the first 20 minutes will be crucial against Ireland and hailed his side’s opening against France as key to the Pumas’ stunning 17-12 victory in the World Cup curtain raiser.

“The first 20 minutes are always important. Against France that we didn’t allow them to cross the midfield,” he said.

“The coaches always remind us of the importance of controlling the ball and keeping the opposition in their own side of the field.”

Pumas fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez will make his return from injury against Ireland.

The Stade Francais star played in the wins over France and Georgia, but missed last Saturday’s 63-3 victory over Namibia with a thigh injury.

With Juan Manuel Leguizamon struggling with a head injury, Gonzalo Longo Elia comes in at number eight for his first start of the tournament.