Stunned Iain Henderson refuses to blame Sean O’Brien’s ‘stupidity’ for World Cup exit

No break in the ranks. No sacrificial tank.

Iain Henderson battled bravely during Ireland's 43-20 defeat to Argentina but, like so many of his teammates, it was not enough. The Ulster forward was part of an Ireland second row that was left fighting fires rather than setting platforms. Henderson has been one of the shining lights of Ireland's shortened World Cup campaign. Indeed, such was his form that there had been calls for him to start in the Irish back row to bring the fight to Argentina. Jordi Murphy started at blindside and did fine, but Ireland sorely missed the marauding aggression and line-speed brought by the likes of Peter O'Mahony and the suspended Sean O'Brien. Asked to quantify the needless loss of O'Brien - banned for a week for striking Pascal Papé - Henderson was, slightly, reluctant to apportion any blame. "We've all done stupid stuff in the game," said Henderson. "I hold nothing against him for it. It has happened many teams. "You saw it today out there, as well, Argentina were under the pump and lost two good players. It's just part and parcel of the game." The 23-year-old also dismissed the notion that Ireland were slow to react to Argentina's lightning start as they had been shorn of key, injured leaders. Henderson commented, "It shouldn't have been a shock to us. "We knew from the start of the game that they were not going to be there. It was up to individual players, who were out on the pitch, to step up and fill those roles."