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As the rugby world unites in celebration of the life of Munster and Ireland great Anthony Foley, the Americas also remember an esteemed competitor. Dan Lyle, John Tait, and Agustín Pichot were among the many to offer their condolences, each having played against Foley during their careers before their current administrative and coaching positions. Indeed Foley played five test matches against Americas teams, three against Los Pumas and one each Canada and the USA. Two of those came on Ireland’s tour to the Americas in 2000, a memorable trip that saw them win only one of three matches.
His first experience against Argentina was a difficult one as Ireland were defeated 34-23 at the Estadio Ferro in Buenos Aires. Federico Méndez, Octavio Bartolucci, and Ignacio Corleto scored tries with five penalty goals from Gonzalo Quesada inspiring the win over an Irish side that contained a number of greats including Mick Galwey, David Wallace, and captained by Keith Wood.
Foley missed the following weekend’s match against the US Eagles but returned for the now infamous draw with Canada at Fletcher’s Fields in Markham. The home side led 21-8 at the half and were boosted by a 17-point performance from Scott Stewart. A last gasp penalty goal by Ronan O’Gara drew the scores level just when it seemed Canada might earn a famous victory.
Two years later the no8 would have his revenge on Los Pumas, starting in the Irish side that won 16-7 at Lansdowne Road in November 2002. O’Gara was again the hero with 11 points against a tough Argentine side with many of the same names from two years earlier and a certain Felipe Contepomi at flyhalf. Contepomi would face Foley on numerous occasions during his six seasons spent playing with rival province Leinster.
It was two years almost to the day when he faced the Pumas for the last time. Trailing 16-6 at the break, a kicking duel between O’Gara and Contepomi saw two drop-goals from the Irish flyhalf settle the dispute with the final score 21-19. O’Gara scored all of Ireland’s points that day. Brian O’Driscoll led the Irish out with Pichot again in charge of Los Pumas and Gonzalo Longo opposite Foley for the third time.
The week prior was the only time that Foley played against the Eagles, also at Lansdowne Road, but this time only as a replacement. A young USA side captained by Kort Schubert and featuring the likes of Mike MacDonald and Mike Hercus fought manfully for 40 minutes before conceding 42 unanswered points in the second half with the final score showing 55-6.
Few Americas players had the chance to play with Foley, of those Rosario prop Federico Pucciariello knew him best, sharing the field for three seasons while at Munster including the last of Foley’s career in 2007-08. Many years earlier, March the 8th of 1995 to be exact, Foley played his one and only match for the famed Barbarians invitational club, scoring a try against an East Midlands XV at Franklin’s Gardens. He would line up on the flank that day, beside a giant Canadian lump by the name of Norm Hadley.
As Munster head coach Foley would get to know three South American players. Pumas hooker Eusebio Guiñazu spent the 2014-15 season with Munster and current Uruguayan captain Mario Sagario spent the following year with the team. Argentine fullback Lucas González Amorosino would also spent time with the club before returning to Argentina to play for the Jaguares in Super Rugby.
Americas Rugby News extends its deepest condolences to his family and all those who mourn the loss of a great player, coach, and character.
