Player ratings: Latin passion
The Pumas, apart from reaching the World Cup quarterfinals for just the second rime, showed the value of playing in the Southern Hemisphere Rugby Championship.
Their Latin temperament at times cost them dearly, but in the end their hard and direct running exposed the brittle Irish defence.
Jan de Koning rates the Argentina players!
15 Joaquin Tuculet:
Showed why he is rated one of the tournament's star fullbacks. He was great in the air and produced some sweetly-timed offloads. he also scored the match-defining try.
8/10
14 Santiago Cordero:
Defence may not be his strong suit, but was a key on attack, his metres made ran into triple figures and he had two crucial try assists.
7/10
13 Matias Moroni:
Not just a defensive brute. He showed some silky skills and made all but one of his tackles.
6/10
12 Juan Martin Hernández:
Showed the skills that has allowed him to function at flyhalf in the past – some great distribution. His defence was just as impressive.
7/10
11 Juan Imhoff:
Was a constant threat with ball in hand, beating numerous defenders and scoring two great tries. A pity his defence let him down too often.
6/10
10 Nicolas Sanchez:
His goal-kicking was superb, his distribution skills from the top shelve and his first-time tackling was 100 percent.
8/10
9 Martin Landajo:
The little general ensured that his flyhalf received the ball with time to spare. Was a key figure in the Pumas' win.
6/10
8 Leonardo Senatore:
So energetic with ball in hand and strong on defence. Also won some crucial turnovers.
7/10
7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe:
The epitome of Latin passion. Not flawless, as he conceded at least one crucial turnover and a penalty.
7/10
6 Pablo Matera:
Had a huge game – both with ball in hand and on defence. He was a constant menace for Ireland at the breakdown.
7/10
5 Tomas Lavanini:
Worked so hard with ball in hand an in the contact situations, but conceded a few penalties.
6/10
4 Guido Petti:
Some really good work on defence, but also slipped a few tackles and his workrate can improve.
5/10
3 Ramiro Herrera:
Not just his scrum power, but his ball-carrying ability is also a massive attribute. However, he spoilt an otherwise good game with a lack of discipline that earned him 10 minutes in the bin and allowed Ireland back into the game.
6/10
2 Agustin Creevy (captain):
Great work at the breakdown, including some great turnovers won. However, his best work was with ball in hand, making plenty of metres in the close exchanges.
8/10
1 Marcos Ayerza:
If his workrate outside the scrum can improve and he stops conceding penalties he will be a huge asset. At the moment his value is limited to the scrums.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Julian Montoya (on for Creevy, 55th min):
Simply just not in Creevy's class.
5/10
17 Lucas Noguera (on for Ayerza, 68th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Juan Pablo Orlandi (on for Herrera, 72nd min):
Not enough time to be rated.
19 Matias Alemanno (on for Petti, 60th min):
Made his tackles, but contributed nothing else.
5/10
20 Facundo Isa (on for Senatore, 50th min):
Showed Argentina have some real depth in the loose forwards. Another hard-running Puma with great skills.
6/10
21 Tomas Cubelli (on for Landajo, 52nd min):
Was a surprise he came on so early, but created a bit more uncertainty with the variety in his game.
6/10
22 Jeronimo De La Fuente (on for Moroni, 68th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino:
Not used.
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