Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade admitted this evening that the Pumas were "very emotional" after missing out on a first Rugby World Cup final with defeat to Australia in the semis of the 2015 tournament.
After allowing two tries in the opening 10 minutes, Argentina steadied themselves at Twickenham this afternoon but could not get back on level terms as two-time champions Australia came out on top 29-15 to reach their fourth final.
Hourcade shed some tears at the final whistle and said that he and his players felt a "huge pain".
"The players were very committed and engaged," Hourcade told reporters. "They never gave up. We feel huge pain, we were very emotional. This means more to the players than me. I was feeling for the players but I feel very proud of them."
Argentina failed to score a try against the stubborn Australian defence, but Hourcade said that if they had found a way through, it would have turned the tide and won them the match.
"We dominated in the second half but we didn't get any tries," he added. "If we had got a try then I think we would have won the game.
"Every time they scored the message was the same - to carry on and follow the plan. We improved in the second half, I think the players showed they could play well, but we didn't score a try."
Argentina will face South Africa in the bronze final and will match their third-placed finish of 2007 if they triumph at the Olympic Stadium.
Pascal Lemesre
