Ireland manager Andy Farrell said Friday’s thrilling 22-19 win over Argentina had achieved something they had failed to do in their defeat against New Zealand and that it was an “ugly win”.

The Irish dominated the first part of the match, scoring three tries to put the Pumas 13 points ahead at half-time, but as against the All-Blacks last Friday, poor discipline and poor quality play allowed their opponents to take the initiative.

“It was three or four games in one, right?” said Farrell, 49.

“Obviously we are very happy to win. Last week we said we had an ugly chance of winning. We did it this week, so that’s a plus.”

Farrell said in a post-match TV interview that some of Ireland’s discipline was “desperate”, as they conceded 13 penalties, but was more measured in the press conference.

“This is actually something we’ve been exceptional at over the last decade,” he said.

“It doesn’t happen because players go there with poor discipline. Even if it sounds stupid, it comes from the right place.

“All they’re trying to do is do the right thing by their team. Individually they need to be a little more patient and trust the team and what they’re about.”

Farrell, who led the Irish to back-to-back Six Nations titles, including the Grand Slam last year, said his team was lacking in some departments compared to the All Blacks and Pumas.

“After last week, I got some of the reaction I wanted,” he said.

“I guess if I were to try to summarize where we are at, when you look at the two good teams we’ve played in the first two weeks, it seems like it’s something we’re still trying to figure out.” “Our feet were busy for exactly 80 minutes.”

‘IT HURTS’

Farrell admitted that his team’s energy dropped as mistakes increased, and the steady decline in penalties awarded had a negative impact on team morale.

“It might look good or bad on camera one (live on TV), but off the ball it’s camera two or four for us,” he said.

“We looked out of sorts and you could say it was because of penalties or losing a collision or something like that.

“But overall I think the quality of the opposition in the first two games has been very strong and will get better as we progress.”

Farrell hinted there would be changes in next Saturday’s game against Fiji, adding that Australia’s arrival a week later would be par for the course.

Still, he was pleased with his team’s resilience, both at the end of the first half and at the death.

“They (the Cougars) disappeared,” Farrell said.

Another defeat was painful for his Argentinian counterpart Felipe Contepomi, who played in many Pumas teams and lost in Dublin.

“Obviously it’s disappointing because it hurts and I hate losing more than winning, which is what I love,” the 47-year-old said.

“So yeah, it’s disappointing. I think we have a lot to improve on, but we have a good platform of where we need to improve.”

However, Contepomi, who had great moments as a player and then assistant coach in Leinster, said he was proud of his team’s fight.

“We defended well and stayed disciplined in the moments when Ireland really used all their weapons and all their tricks. I’m proud of that.”