Player ratings: Pumas outclassed
Argentina were well beaten by Ireland in their final Test of 2012 – a disappointing result but a blow for their pride after being so dominated up front.
With their tight five facing a hasty retreat for 80 minutes, star flankers Juan Manuel Leguizamon and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe were hardly seen and the Pumas backs saw little ball too.
We rate the Argentina players:
15 Juan Martin Hernandez:
Did not have many opportunities, after being moved back to fullback for this match, but he did his basics right.
6/10
14 Gonzalo Camacho:
Was hardly seen on the day.
5/10
13 Marcelo Bosch:
Should have released the ball to his teammates on the outside in the 57th minute – Argentina eventually losing the ball as Ireland won a penalty on their goalline. Had very few opportunities on attack and the Puma midfield struggled on defense.
5/10
12 Santiago Fernandez:
No major opportunities and he struggled to cope with Sexton's wide passing game around the 10-12 channel.
5/10
11 Juan Imhoff:
A quality winger, he didn't have enough opportunities in open play but he looked for work. He was replaced with just under half an hour remaining.
6/10
10 Nicolas Sanchez:
He didn't have a platform to work from – like his opposite number, Sexton – but he was always keen to have a go. He kicked most of his goals when required but was never going to make a difference with his pack under so much pressure.
6/10
9 Martin Landajo:
He had no clean ball or protection from his loose forwards and was left to fight a lone battle. To his credit, he did not fare badly but he was always up against it.
6/10
8 Leonardo Senatore:
With his tight five on the retreat, he had no real opportunities on attack and he made one major error (a knock on) in the second half.
5/10
7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon:
The star Pumas flanker had no real impact with his tight five getting battered.
5/10
6 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain):
He ended the game with a try, but it wasn't his best performance… no doubt because of Ireland's tight five domination.
5/10
5 Julio Farias Cabello:
It was a day to remember for the Pumas second row as their Irish counterparts dominated in the air and around the park.
5/10
4 Manuel Carizza:
He was bossed by his opposite number, as Ireland dominated the line-out.
5/10
3 Maximiliano Bustos:
Was smashed in the scrums but was noticed more for his moment of madness when he threw the ball into opposition prop, Cian Healy which earned him a yellow card.
3/10
2 Eusebio Guinazu:
Hardly noticed on a disappointing day for the Pumas tight five.
4/10
1 Marcos Ayerza:
He tried in vain, and played on after taking a heavy knock, but the Pumas needed more than Ayerza showing up well in this game.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Agustin Creevy (on for Eusebio Guinazu, 56th min):
The game was lost by the time he came on. He didn't have much of an impact.
4/10
17 Nahuel Lobo (on for Marcos Ayerza, 68th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Francisco Gomez Kodela:
Unused replacement.
19 Tomas Vallejos:
Unused replacement.
20 Tomas Leonardi (on for Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 54th min):
Wasn't any more – or less – effective than the man he replaced.
5/10
21 Nicolas Vergallo (on for Martin Landajo, 68th min):
Not enough time to be rated.
22 Gonzalo Tiesi (on for Nicolas Sanchez, 60th min):
Not enough opportunities to be rated fairly.
23 Manuel Montero (on for Juan Imhoff, 54th min):
Not enough opportunities to be rated fairly.
