Player Ratings: Argentina

OPINION: Argentina player ratings: It wasn’t to be for Los Pumas who, after pushing Ireland to the limit, lost by three points in Dublin, a city they have never been able to celebrate in.

The 19-22 loss was a game of two halves, or probably a game of two scrumhalves as the replacement of Gonzalo Bertranou by Gonzalo García gave Los Pumas a higher tempo and new confidence. So much that Ireland’s points were only scored in the first half.

It wasn’t to be as two yellow cards – the first when teams had not broken yet a sweat and the second in the crucial final eight minutes – proved to be too costly.

Here is how Los Pumas rated:

1. Thomas Gallo – 7
Clumsy in the opening minutes, he was again solid in the scrum and in defence. Gallo is a prop that loves playing with the ball in hand, always winning hard-fought meters.

2. Julián Montoya – 7
As ever, efficient. A quiet leader, players follow him because he never takes a step backward and is always focused on the task.

3. Joel Sclavi – 5
Struggled to contain his side of the scrum; his size can be an asset but this did not really show in Dublin.

4. Guido Petti – 6
Back in the team, his 50 minutes on the field were active. Effective in the lineout he made sure his channels were seldom attacked, is lacking match fitness but is still a key component of the Pumas’ pack.

5. Pedro Rubiolo – 8.5
Rubiolo always leads tackle counts of his team – 19 this game, rucks hit, mauls pushed. Never flashy, always very efficient. One of his best games in a Puma jersey. In saying this, he always plays one of his best games.

6. Pablo Matera – 6
Missed an early tackle in the buildup to Ireland’s second try, but, as always, worked hard during the hour he was on the field.

7. Juan Martín González – 8
Every time he takes the field, he plays at a very high level. Be it for Saracens or Los Pumas. He was his usual self, active in defence and when he managed to get the ball, tried to make things happen. His break in the final seconds was epic.

8. Joaquín Oviedo – 8
A tractor. Always strong, always pushing. He attacks from the back of the scrum with strength and whilst he is not a player that shines, he does the right thing always. Nineteen carries.

9. Gonzalo Bertranou – 4
Struggled with the pace of the game and not getting the much-needed quick ball for his backs did not allow them the momentum to be a threat in the first half. Subbed after 45 minutes, Los Pumas were a different team in the last 35 minutes

10. Tomás Albornoz – 8
The real Albornoz was seen in the last 35 minutes when he was given quick ball by Gonzalo García. Even if his first kick was charged down, it did not affect his play. With him at 10, Los Pumas have a new dimension to their play. He tackles, runs, kicks. Another good game even if Los Pumas only scored one try. Four penalties and a conversion.

11. Bautista Delguy – 7.5
His bag of tricks showed his attacking skills and hunger whenever he had ball. Hard to read as he can step to either side. He was also very busy in defence.

12. Matías Moroni – 6
From the joy of scoring a try in the opening two minutes, to a yellow card from a head clash 80 metres earlier. In his absence, Ireland took a 12-3 lead, which in the end proved costly. A pity because the way he plays is contagious.

13. Lucio Cinti – 5
Quiet game for the Saracens centre, who lost the ball far too many times for this level. Unlike himself.

14. Rodrigo Isgró – 6.5
A good game for the former Sevens star who is feeling more comfortable as he plays more XV games. As always, a threat is in the air, he needs to control his anxiety at times.

15. Juan Cruz Mallía – 7
His 45th-minute try showcased what a dangerous player he can be. He is very efficient when marshalling his backs and organizing the defence, played the last minutes at wing but is still a threat both in attack and defence.

16. Ignacio Ruiz – 6
As good as Montoya still is, Ruiz is the future and he proves himself in every game. His lineout throwing was pin perfect, he tackled with commitment and hit every formation with strength.

17. Ignacio Calles – 5
Eight minutes on the field with few opportunities to showcase his abilities, did all that was asked of him.

18. Francisco Gómez Kodela – 4
At 39, he should have been more patient in the ruck that left his team with fourteen players with five minutes to go. Strong in the scrum, his yellow card was unnecessary, and we’ll never know what could have happened had it not happened.

19. Franco Molina – 6.5
In his debut season, the Exeter lock is a solid performer. He had 25 minutes to prove himself and he did that. He tackled, took his lineout ball and attacked close to the ruck a couple of times.

20. Santiago Grondona – 6
Eighteen minutes to confirm that even from the bench, when replacing a stalwart as Matera, the standard doesn’t drop.

21. Gonzalo García – 7
He did more in 35 minutes than Bertranou in 45. Los Pumas have a new attacking identity that needs García at the helm; he was always on top of the ball and his delivery was efficient.

22. Santiago Carreras – 6
That he came on as fullback, shows that Contepomi has found his flyhalf in Albornoz. A crucial turnover in the 72nd minute stopped a dangerous Irish attack. He always deserves a place in the 23-man squad.

23. Justo Piccardo – 6.5
Six tackles and only one missed tackle in his first 20 minutes of international rugby. He has arrived and will stay for long.

By Frankie Deges