A devastating blow for Argentina's backline — and a storm of controversy follows.
Argentina’s national rugby team has confirmed that fullback Juan Cruz Mallia has suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee, sustained during Sunday’s intense 23–27 defeat to England at Twickenham. The match, already heated by physical clashes, took a dramatic turn following a late tackle from England flanker Tom Curry, which left Mallia writhing on the ground — and the Pumas fuming.
The 29-year-old star was forced to leave the field in visible pain during the closing stages of the game. Argentina’s head coach, Felipe Contepomi, later did not hold back, publicly calling Curry a “bully.” According to Contepomi, Curry’s aggression went beyond the tackle — he allegedly continued with verbal abuse in the stadium tunnel after the match. The incident has sparked fiery debate among fans and analysts alike, questioning whether Curry’s play crossed the line or remained within the rough-and-tumble spirit of Test rugby. Was it a hard tackle gone wrong, or an act of unsportsmanlike behavior?
Meanwhile, French club Toulouse, where Mallia plays in the Top 14 league, released a statement confirming that the fullback will undergo further medical examinations in the coming days to determine the full extent of the damage. ACL injuries often sideline players for months, raising concern about Mallia’s availability for both club and country in the near future.
This update leaves Argentina facing not only the loss of a vital player but also a potential disciplinary battle brewing around Curry’s conduct. Is player safety being compromised in the modern game, or are such collisions an unavoidable part of rugby’s DNA?
What do you think — should World Rugby review incidents like Curry’s tackle more harshly, or is this just part of the sport’s fierce physicality? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the debate.
