Woodward not happy with defeat
June 18, 2002

England boss Clive Woodward was not a happy man after seeing his side crash to a 29-24 opening tour defeat at the hands of the Argentina 'A' team.

Despite scoring three tries, from wing Mark Cueto, prop Robbie Morris and fly-half Dave Walder, England were undone by the boot of the Pumas' Gonzalo Quesada.

Quesada, top points scorer at the 1999 World Cup, slotted three penalties, a drop goal and two conversions, which made a telling difference to the final outcome.

Only Sale predator Cueto pressed claims for Test team inclusion against Argentina next Saturday, although Woodward is set to announce a completely changed starting XV on Tuesday afternoon.

"I am disappointed really. We were guilty of running into people and losing the ball, but we came here to learn, and it was a good lesson," Woodward said.

"We turned the ball over too many times. We had enough ball to have won the game, but the leg drive just wasn't there in contact situations.

"Our players got well hit in the tackle, and too many of them were slowing down going into contact. Argentina got a winning formula, but everyone has come through without injury for us tonight, and I am looking forward to Saturday.

"If we had kept hold of the ball, then we would have won comfortably," he added.

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