Player ratings: Pumas outclassed
Despite being outdone by the All Blacks it was a valiant effort by a Pumas side that will stand them in good stead. Andrew Duncan rates them.
Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade shouldn't to be to disappointed with his teams display in a more than acceptable performance by the Pumas.
Argentina struggled for much of the game as the All Blacks forwards took the highly touted Pumas pack apart, the backs for the most part held their passes and the defence was rock solid.
Los Pumas played their part in making the Friday Test an entertaining affair with a willingness to run the ball, but their attacks were starting too deep and were easily read by the All Blacks.
When they reverted to the play they know best, keeping it tight, they enjoyed a 10 minute period of domination in the second-half when captain and hooker Agustin Creevy scored twice from forward drives.
Andrew Duncan rates the Pumas!
15 Joaquin Tuculet
Fleet-footed and speedy at the back. Looked dangerous with the ball but struggled to break tackles. His positional play was outstanding.
7/10
14 Horacio Agulla
The experienced wing was shut down and hardly had an opportunity. He tried hard when he had some space.
5/10
13 Marcelo Bosch
Very quiet with such high expectations. Made some runs but missed tackles and a kick at poles.
4/10
12 Jerónimo De la Fuente
Solid on defence marking two great centres. He missed no tackles and made 10. Also looked dangerous as a runner.
7/10
11 Cordero Santiago
Space was closed down quickly on Santiago, but he looked nippy when he had the chance. Possibly one to watch come the World Cup.
6/10
10 Nicolas Sanchez
Also very disappointing from another player who had high expectations. Flopped two restarts out on the full and shuffled the ball sideways.
3/10
9 Thomas Cubelli
A live wire display from the Argentine scrumhalf. His service was acceptable playing behind a pack going backwards. He also made plenty of tackle and missed none.
7/10
8 Facundo Isa
Came in with a big name as a bruising carrier, but his carries hardly broke the advantage line.
5/10
7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe
Vintage display from the veteran looseforward. Tackled well, was quality in the line-outs and got around the park well.
6/10
6 Juan Manuel Leguizamon
Did the dirty work for the Pumas and tackled like a machine. He was on the park for 50 minutes and made 10 tackles missing none.
5/10
5 Manual Carizza
Ran the line-outs well for the Pumas but was quiet other than that.
4/10
4 Guido Petti Pagadizabal
The youngster proved his worth with a few big carries and handled the collisions in the tight contact area, however was a bit dodgy in the line-outs.
6/10
3 Ramiro Herrera
Scrummed well for the Pumas but slipped a crucial tackle on Charles Piutau which cost his team five points.
6/10
2 Agustin Creevy (captain)
Lead by example with plenty of heavy carries getting the Pumas over the advantage line. He was dominant in the collision and scored two tries.
9/10
1 Marcos Ayerza
Disappointing after talking up a big scrumming game before the match. Although he was prominent in the tight-loose making some good tackles.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Julian Montoya (on for Creevy, 53 mins)
A premature substitution maybe but Montoya made a decent impact and was often in support.
6/10
17 Lucas Noguera (on for Ayerza, 60 mins)
Didn't see much of the big frontrower when he came onto the park.
4/10
18 Nahuel Chaparro Tetaz (on Herrera, 55 mins)
Made some solid yards when he carried and won penalties for the Pumas in the scrum.
5/10
19 Benjamin Macome (on for Petti, 60 min)
Carried the ball a ahndful of times but had little impact on the game
5/10
20 Javier Ortega Desio (on for Leguizamon, 50 mins)
Made a solid impact, coupled with a lot of carries and had a high work-rate.
7/10
21 Martin Landajo (on for Cubelli, 55 mins)
Similar player to Cubelli and when he came on he delivered. Quality passing and a threat around the breakdown.
7/10
22 Santiago González Iglesias (on for De la Fuente, 58 mins)
Showed some heart in the midfield however didn't have much possession to work with on attack.
5/10
23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino (on for Tuculet, 55 mins)
Showed some nifty footwork down the touchline and maybe put his hand up for a starting berth.
6/10
By Andrew Duncan
@andrewslamdunc
