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PARIS - Ireland had no excuses and no answers today after their miserable World Cup rugby campaign ended with a 15-30 pool D loss to Argentina.
Ireland produced their best performance of the tournament and scored two tries, one an absolute classic, but were still outclassed, outmanoeuvered and outmuscled by an Argentine side who topped the pool ahead of France.
"It was a tough group and we knew we would have to bring our A game here and we haven't done that," coach Eddie O'Sullivan said.
"Today was a big mountain to climb, it wasn't a straightforward game where a win would get us across the line like four years ago. It was a different agenda today and it coloured the way the game was played."
Ireland needed to win and score four tries, while also denying the Pumas a bonus point, and the awareness of that equation was obvious in their early, rushed efforts.
"I suppose we did try to force the ball, in the first two games and today," O'Sullivan said.
"But they kicked really well, pinned us back and forced us to play deep.
"It was a difficult day but we kept working as hard as we could, as long as we could."
Captain Brian O'Driscoll briefly raised Irish hopes with a first-half try and by helping Geordan Murphy score a wonderful second.
But they were rare signs of class in the tournament from the centre, who like most of his teammates, accepted he was off the pace throughout.
"If you don't perform you don't get the rewards," he said.
"The onus is on the players, there's only so much coaching that can be done. We didn't front up enough in the four games.
"Maybe some played some half-decent rugby at times today but it was too little, too late.
"I think we'll all go back and be disappointed in our own individual performances as players."
O'Sullivan said he remained somewhat mystified why a team who won the Triple Crown and were within seconds of a Grand Slam in this year's Six Nations never got going.
"Less than six months ago this team were playing great rugby and you don't became a bad team in six months, that's for sure," he said.
"Why did we not replicate the form we had earlier? I can't put my finger on it. In this tournament we looked like a team who needed more rugby, and the confidence drained away.
"We all know this team is capable of reaching a certain level, we never achieved that, especially in the first two games."
O'Sullivan has a contract to see him through to the next World Cup and said he remained "totally committed" to the role.
"It's been tough here and it hasn't gone to plan but that's no reason to walk away," he said.
"I've never walked away from a challenge in my life and I don't intend to start now."
- REUTERS
