Felipe Contepomi might be close to 40 but the former Leinster and Argentina legend looks fit enough to line out for the Pumas on Sunday.
The doctor was in Dublin this afternoon ahead of an appearance at Off The Ball’s Roadshow in 3Arena and we caught up with the out-half to chat about his first impressions of Paul O’Connell, Sean O’Brien’s one-week ban and what it’s like having Maradona as a rugby fan.
What did you think of Sean O’Brien’s ban?
I feel sorry for Seanie but this is something he needs to learn from. It was a silly mistake to hit someone in front of 20 cameras and he was probably lucky that it wasn’t spotted during the game. If Ireland go through he will be pumped for the semi-final. If Ireland don’t go through then he’ll have another World-Cup to come back.
You can’t allow a punch out of the blue whatever [Pascal] Papé may have done. World Rugby have been tough and vigorous on this foul play so he should have been banned.
I sometimes lost the plot and it’s something I should have done better. The older I got the more I learned and when I was younger I did stupid or silly things and I think it’s something you need to learn from. Papé is not a saint but you need to keep it cool because you have 20 cameras around.
What was your first memory of Paul O’Connell from playing with Leinster?
It must have been 2003. In Argentina we have huge respect for Paul. He is one of those players who everyone loves. He is one of those players who transmits everything you want to transmit in the sport. He is a real gentleman as well. When you see him on TV, you could see had something different, he had an aura to get the best out of others around him.
I feel sorry for Paulie, it is not the best way to finish but I’m sure he’s such a tough guy mentally he will come back stronger.
Is Paul O’Connell’s injury a huge opportunity for Argentina?
Obviously Paul out is a big blow because of his leadership and what he means to Irish rugby fans and the team. But Iain Henderson is a great replacement and he’s up for the challenge and the same for O’Mahony and Johnny Sexton. Ian Madigan did a great job against France and if he did it last Sunday why not the same this week against Argentina?
What is the Argentina view of Ireland ahead of Sunday?
It will be a massive game but I think history between the two teams won’t mean anything for Sunday. 2007, 2003, 1999, they are just numbers. The Argentina team see Ireland like ourselves; very passionate and will never give up. For this Argentina team it is a special challenge because we haven’t beaten Ireland since 2007.
You were very calm as a player but what are you like as a spectator?
No, I don’t get too excited, I watch rugby sometimes with a clinical eye on watching some small details. I like watching good movement, I enjoy good players and good footwork and small details. I look in general but of course number 10 is crucial. For me I look at strategy and skills too.
Why do you think Ian Madigan could be as good as Johnny Sexton?
Well look, it’s hard to reach Johnny’s level. He is a guy that is still improving. Johnny is one of, if not, the best in the world. I saw from the beginning , his personality and mental strength and desire to improve every single session makes him what he is. I love watching him because every session he brings something new, something he might have tried in training and probably practising for ages.
I don’t know Ian, but you can see he has skill, a good attitude, he plays with a smile and he enjoys his rugby and if he keeps improving he may get to Johnny’s level, maybe one day.
As a doctor how do you think the concussion issue is being managed at this year’s tournament?
I am against the rule of taking the player our for 10 minutes. For me concussion is concussion and the player has to get off the pitch. We speak about the integrity of the player but we need to keep talking about the head.
That’s why you use a helmet cycling. You can fracture a bone but you cannot fracture your skull. If you have a knock on the head you have to go. It does not matter if you’re vomiting or really injured.
What was your own experience of concussion?
I did silly things, I wasn’t a good patient. That’s why I am against a 10-minute rule. You won’t be able to take a rugby player off the pitch that easy, he will play concussed, he will play fractured, they will play anyway he can. If he can walk he will play, and that’s why the doctor has to be the cool guy to say that if you get a knock to the head you have to get out.
What will be key for you on Sunday?
I think the game could be decided by a team keeping their cool and imposing their gameplan on the opposition. I think both teams play really well and play very similar style with ball in hands. Whoever can get the ball, and hold onto it will have a major advantage.
Has Maradona always been a rugby fan?
It’s not that he is a rugby fan, he’s just a huge supporter of every Argentina team. He will follow any national team, the basketball, the rugby, the volleyball team. We can disagree on Maradona’s personal life and so-on but in Argentina he is an icon and having him come over to watch the games in a World Cup it is always noticed.
Felipe Contepomi was in Dublin ahead of the Newstalk Off The Ball Roadshow in partnership with Heineken at 3Arena on Wednesday, October 14th. Thanks to Heineken, official sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2015. Visit Heineken.ie.
