Former Leinster star Felipe Contepomi stormed out of a press conference following a heated altercation with a journalist in the aftermath of South Africa's 48-7 hammering of Argentina.
Contepomi who is now managing the Argentinian side, was a stalwart for Leinster between 2003 and 2009, making 116 appearances and scoring over 1200 points in a decorated career. While professional rugby and the arrival of Johnny Sexton may have seen Contepomi depart for the glamour of France, it wasn't long before the Argentinian was back in South Dublin.
Following his retirement and a handful of Argentinian coaching roles, Contempomi returned to Leinster in 2018 where he served as a backs coach under Leo Cullen for four years until 2022. His success in the role earned him a recall to Argentina where he took up a role as the assistant coach before being promoted to the top job this year.
While his side delivered a shock defeat to Rassie Erasmus' South Africa last weekend, the World Champions made sure to get their revenge on Saturday when they hammered Contepomi's side 48-7.
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21 May 2022; Leinster backs coach Felipe Contepomi before the United Rugby Championship match between Leinster and Munster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Felipe Contepomi hits back at referee allegations
Speaking to the media after the game, Contepomi took particular offence to a question from a journalist accusing him of approaching referee Ben O'Keefe's changing room at half-time. Outraged by the question, Contepomi hit back at the journalist before putting an abrupt end to the press conference.
Well you heard wrong because I don't know where is the changing room. I didn't go to the changing room (at halftime) so I don't know where you take it from, but it's a bad thing to say because I never go to a changing room of a ref at halftime. So I'm disappointed that you ask that question and I would like to know where you take it from?
I'm asking, where you take it from?
While the journalist informed the Argentinian manager that he'd got a message from someone within the stadium, it did little to calm Contepomi.
I only talked to the referee after the game...I know Ben O'Keefe very well, we chatted and I sent him the review and he said yes and we are okay.
I'm surprised that you got the bad information, you need to be careful because you are a reporter. You need to check your infomation because that is a lie.
Sorry for me that is the last question, we'll finish.
Felipe Contepomi stormed out of the post-match press conference after being asked if he approached the referee at half-time during the match. Not happy... pic.twitter.com/XPVMKwtOY4
— Stephen (@SteviePSport) September 28, 2024
Once Felipe Contepomi had confronted and warned the journalist, he called an early end to the press conference, standing up and leaving early.
The loss to South Africa meant that Rassie Erasmus' side got their hands on their first Rugby Championship title since 2019, ending a four-year winning streak by the All Blacks.
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