Gaffney: 'We did what we set out to do'

With the Ireland Rugby team out of camp on Monday, Backs coach Alan Gaffney took time out to give his thoughts on last weekend’s defeat to New Zealand and the upcoming match against Argentina.

Speaking first about the match against the All Blacks, Gaffney said: ‘I think we did what we set out to do and attacked them.

‘It was more about how we as a team are trying to evolve and implement our own style and game plan rather then who we were playing. We did that for good periods and I think we saw another step forward on Saturday.

‘New Zealand were ruthless at exposing our turnovers as they have been with most teams this year. You have to be exceptionally tight with them not to give them the ball as they can make you pay.’

Despite the 20-point defeat, Gaffney was very positive about the chances that Ireland created and is hoping that the team can build on that performance: ‘One pleasing aspect was that we created quite a few scoring opportunities and showed some good patience by holding onto the ball to keep them under pressure.

‘If we can continue to do that under the new rules we can continue to progress in our style and become more of a threat and ask questions of defences for longer periods.

Looking forward to Sunday’s Guinness Series meeting with Argentina at the Aviva Stadium, Gaffney is expecting much resistance from the visiting Pumas: ‘I haven’t had a chance to look at their game against France yet, but it shows what a tough nut to crack they are.

'There is a physical challenge that they will bring to the Aviva, but what they always have and I don’t think they get as much credit for, is a real cutting edge and some good ball players.

‘Felipe (Contepomi) has come back from his injury problems last year and shown great form at club level and during the summer when he destroyed France.

'He has got some good players around him as well in Tiesi and Vergallo as well as Amorosiono and Rodriguez, so they bring a big threat when they have the ball.'