O'Driscoll credits strength

It's always physical against Argentina. I've never played against them and not woken up the next day knowing I've been in a hard fought game.

Brian O'Driscoll
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Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll insisted his men were determined not to be bullied out of the game against Argentina - as they won at Croke Park to preserve their World Cup status.

The Irish beat the Pumas 17-3 at Croke Park to ensure they remained in the second group of seeds for the next month's World Cup 2011 draw.

A physical Argentina team tested Ireland to the limit but, after some accusations of folding against the All Blacks, Ireland were determined to be strong.

"We weren't going to take a backwards step. When teams come to Croke Park we're not here to be bullied or shoved around," O'Driscoll said.

Strong

"We didn't initiate too much but if anything was going on then we certainly weren't backing down. That's how it has to be.

"It showed great camaraderie that everyone was there for one another. No one was going to get picked on.

"If there were any scuffles then there were always guys there on your shoulder to help out. It was important that we looked after one another.

"We mentioned during the week that these game are physical and that we wouldn't be pushed around.

"It's in our nature to be hard, rugged people and it hurt us a little bit that certain factions of the media said we were pushed around by the All Blacks.

"That hurt our pride and we weren't prepared to let it happen today."

Ospreys winger Tommy Bowe ran in the crucial 76th minute try, as Ireland got one over on a team quickly becoming a big rival.

Ranking

With the World Cup ranking on the line, O'Driscoll knew it was going to be a blood-and-thunder affair.

"It's always physical against Argentina. I've never played against them and not woken up the next day knowing I've been in a hard fought game," said O'Driscoll

"Throughout the years there's been so much at stake every time we've played them, usually in World Cups or looking for revenge because of what's happened at a World Cup.

"The rankings issue meant there was a lot at stake this time too. There was huge honesty from us.

"It was a brutal game but sometimes you just have to roll your sleeves up and getting stuck in."

Ireland flanker David Wallace suffered a neck injury, but coach Declan Kidney revealed the damage was minor, while the Pumas lost Juan Martin Hernandez in the warm-up.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan said the loss of Hernandez was a big blow for his side.

"During the warm up he pulled out - it was impossible for him to kick and we decided not to play him," he said.

"The decision was made half an hour before kick-off. We knew about the injury but we worked hard to get him fit for the game.

"Yesterday he was okay but in the warm up he suffered a twinge."