Argentina lodge Complaint, Seek Examination into Tom Curry Following on-Field Injury and Tunnel Incident
LONDON – Argentina have formally lodged a complaint and are urging an investigation into England flanker Tom Curry following a tackle that left Argentinian fullback Juan Cruz Mallía with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and an alleged subsequent altercation in the tunnel after Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series match. The incident has sparked outrage from the Argentinian camp, with accusations of recklessness and a lack of respect.
Mallía sustained the injury during a tackle by Curry in the 27-24 defeat to England at Twickenham. Argentina confirmed the severity of the injury – a torn ACL in his right knee – and a 24-hour citing window is now open for Six nations Rugby to review the tackle. disciplinary proceedings could also be initiated regarding the tunnel incident.
According to Argentinian assistant coach Felipe Contepomi, Curry confronted him in the tunnel following the match.”He came off in the tunnel and he gave me a little smack… a push, a hit here on the chest,” Contepomi stated. “I am 48 and he is 27. He is strong… luckily there are probably cameras there.” Contepomi further alleged that after being told by Argentinian staff that Curry had broken Mallía’s knee, Curry responded with “Fuck off” and pushed him.
Contepomi expressed dismay at Curry’s reaction, stating, “After breaking someone’s knee, you need to be at least humble enough and respectful to say: ‘Sorry, I did something wrong,’ but he went the opposite [way]. Maybe it is indeed his way of being a bully.” He questioned whether such behavior should be rewarded within the sport.
england head coach Steve Borthwick swiftly defended Curry’s character. “Anybody in this room who has had any contact with Tom Curry knows there’s a character of a man,” Borthwick said. “His character is impeccable. He’s a fantastic team man, a very respectful guy. I think Tom Curry’s character is unquestionable.” Borthwick acknowledged emotions run high after matches, stating, “post-game, on the pitch, emotions are always flying high… That’s part of the past of rugby.”
This incident follows a previous controversy involving Curry during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he accused South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi of racial abuse. Mbonambi was later cleared by a World Rugby investigation.
