ITA 38-17 URU: Uruguay reaction (vice-captain Civetta, head coach Meneses, Leindekar, Ardao, Diana)

Reaction from Uruguay head coach Esteban Meneses, vice-captain Santiago Civetta, second-row Manuel Leindekar, flanker Manuel Ardao and number eight Manuel Diana after their 38-17 Pool A defeat by Italy at Stade de Nice

Manuel Leindekar, second row 

On how he feels:

“It's a big, big frustration. We were there the first half but they started to play more directly in the second half and it cost us a lot. Maybe later we’ll feel a bit better; but for now it's just frustration.”

On their next match against Namibia:

“We're going to have to turn the page quickly and think about Namibia. We need to be self-critical and close this match as soon as possible, which I imagine will be tomorrow, and focus on what's to come because there is no time to lose.”

On what changed from the first half to the second:

“I think Italy played the second half very well. We didn't know how to secure the ball, we were indisciplined, a little tired because they attacked us very directly. The game got away from us with the yellow card. It was then hard for us to chase it and get back into the game.”

On what level Uruguay are at:

“We are at another level, the level we want to be, where details are very important. We don't have to think about the Uruguay of four years ago. Today is the new Uruguay, the one that wants to continue to exist. It is how we handle the details that are going to make the difference.”

On the need to have regular competition against top sides:

“The tier two countries need competition, so that rugby is not a sport of 10 nations, but rather more global and all matches are more attractive to watch.

“Today we showed tier two nations can compete, and I hope it rings a bell and they see that we want to play these games to continue improving.”

Manuel Ardao, flanker

On the game overall:

"There were two very different halves. We managed the game during the first half and set the tempo with our quality possession. But in the second half we gave that possession to Italy and that was not the way to play the game.

“Credit to Italy for putting us under pressure. At this level, if you don't have the ball and you give it to the opposition, mistakes are costly. They have their merit, but we are the ones responsible. "

On what they talked about at half-time:

"We knew that they were going to come and get us, and that we were 40 minutes away from making history but unfortunately we couldn't."

On the lessons they can take from the match:

"This is the route we must follow if we want to compete at the best level. Today showed we are 30 or 40 minutes away from competing as equals with other tier one nations. Uruguay has grown a lot, although there is a lot we need to get right and improve. We have to keep growing.”

Manuel Diana, number eight

On the overriding emotion after the game:

"We leave with a bitter taste, that's the truth. We kept the lead for only 10 minutes in the second half and we got a yellow card. That was the turning point of the match and we couldn't bounce back from that.

“But at the end of the day, I’m proud of what we have achieved with this. We worked a lot to be here, we fought, we competed, we didn't give up.

"This goes on and we have two more matches left against Namibia and New Zealand. We must go out and enjoy what is left."

On where things went wrong:

"The first half was very good. They had momentum but we knew how to defend well. When we had our chance we took advantage, but at this level if you close your eyes for two minutes, they hurt you and that's how it was. Italy took advantage of their opportunities during a second half that was a bit dark for us."

On what they need to do before facing Namibia:

"It's the whole thing, we have to recover physically and mentally, go out and play Namibia as if it was a Rugby World Cup final. We have to go out to get the result we came for and battle with everything we have."

Esteban Meneses, head coach

On the game:

“We cannot think this is best result for us. We are quiet now. We did our best for this game. Italy and Namibia were quite difficult matches and that’s what we’ve been preparing for.

“We were not able to fight the Italians off, but the team has shown great enthusiasm and momentum and we will keep working on that.

“Italy are a major team with a lot of potential, and unfortunately we could not beat such a team.”

On the first 20 minutes of the second half:

“We made errors in our kicking. We planned to keep playing but we made errors and gave hope to Italy to gain some momentum.

“We left parts of the field empty and could not play the game we had in the first half. In the second half, physically it’s clear we were not up to the game and we suffered. Our defence was not as good.

“Also the team was mentally affected in the second half. Things just happened and we just couldn’t add to the scoreboard. It was just hard for us to get the ball.”

On needing more games against top teams:

“We have been asking for more games to prepare for the World Cup, to be at the same physical level. But the number of games we have is not sufficient, as we have a lot of potential. We need to compete in a higher level worldwide against stronger teams."

On what positives he takes from the game:

“The most positive for us is the passion and energy that we brought to the field. We couldn’t maintain it from the beginning to the end.

“Our aim is to remain positive and clinical, but it is hard. The first 40 minutes was excellent, we played well, but not so in the second half. We know we need to work on that.

“We lost but we will keep working, keep training, keep playing. We have no doubt that the next game (against Namibia) will be something else."

Santiago Civetta, flanker and vice-captain

On the game overall:

"Italy deserved the win. They were very physical. We were good in the first half, but congratulations to Italy. We did our best for the first 40 minutes but we were facing a good team.

“Now we have to look at the game against Namibia. Other teams like France keep training from World Cup to World Cup, but in Latin America we don’t play as many games as they do.”

 

ON-FIELD REACTION

Santiago Civetta, flanker

On his reaction to defeat:

“It was a really epic battle. We gave the best we could. There were a lot of mistakes, more than what we wanted, and Italy exploited those errors. That is the explanation – they were better than us.

“It is quite frustrating to be honest. We dreamt really big about this match. Big dreams sometimes come true, sometimes they don’t.

“We didn’t take anything from this game but we gave our best and we need to keep on working. We have two more matches and we have to prepare them well.”

Esteban Meneses, head coach

“I am proud of the players and the staff. We came here to make history but Italy played very well in the second half, so congratulations to them.

“Our target was Italy and Namibia. It was a very tough match but the second step is Namibia and we will prepare very well for this match now.”