Player ratings: Argentina
Yesterday at 06:54 AM
OPINION: France was extremely efficient and scored from every opportunity they created to close the Nations Series with a 37-23 win in Paris.
Two yellow cards were extremely costly for Los Pumas for a second consecutive weekend as France scored from the first and the second was a penalty try. Alas, there is a 14-point difference in the final scoreline.
Here is how Los Pumas rated:
1. Thomas Gallo – 7.5
In a game for all sizes, Gallo is certainly not a massive prop but what a nightmare he can be in the scrum – where he generated a couple of penalties – as a tackler. In the few attacking situations he had, scored a short-range try showing his strength. Could have scored two more but lost the ball inches from the try line and was stopped in a move that later ended in a try.
2. Julián Montoya – 6
A 4th minute yellow card and a penalty after returning yielded 10 points. He was much, much more than that, as he led as always from the front, completing a dozen of tackles. The yellow card cost him at least a point in this ranking.
3. Joel Sclavi – 6
The La Rochelle prop gave a penalty in a scrum that Ramos turned into three points from the halfway line in the first half; otherwise was solid in that formation and had a good run with the ball. Big and physical, he was a discomfort for the opposition.
4. Guido Petti – 6.5
Could not repeat his win at the Stade de France ten years ago but gave a similar high-standard performance. He didn't shine but does his shift with huge efficiency.
5. Pedro Rubiolo – 7
Rubiolo is one of those players that you don't see much yet is there doing his job at a very high standard the eighty minutes. His sixteen tackles, many of which were important, are always a beacon for his teammates.
6. Pablo Matera – 7
Had a turnover, for the third Albornoz penalty, and seven carries before going off for an HIA which he successfully passed. On returning, despite giving away a penalty, was a menace for a dominant French pack until he was subbed in the 56th minute.
7. Juan Martín González – 7.5
Stole a lineout ball, complicated a second, and was always a menace. A dubious yellow card and a penalty try was too big a price for a player that is extremely dangerous all the time. A 40-yard run got fans on their feet when. Argentina attempted a comeback. He then had two more that were hard to stop.
8. Joaquín Oviedo – 7.5
Old-style No. 8 is not flashy but carries with intent and is very solid defensively. 18 tackles, only second to France's Charles Olivon, was part of his very positive performance.
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9. Gonzalo García – 7.5
Quick thinking saw him twice pinch the ball from Dupont's hands. He again played a good game despite a dominant French pack. Was not fazed by playing the world's best player and his delivery was quick and efficient. Los Pumas' future halfback.
10. Tomás Albornoz – 7
He showed that he could run a team from 10 with efficiency. A neat handler, a solid kicker, a good distributor, the debate on who should be the Pumas' flyhalf is now closed.
11. Bautista Delguy – 6
Trusted his instinct in a restart but had everybody holding their breath as the ball barely touched the line when France was on their way to a try. Had been very active for 27 minutes before leaving the field with a muscle strain.
12. Matías Moroni – 6
He struggled to walk back to the bench after his 50-minute shift having emptied the tank and that is what you always expect from the veteran back playing in the unaccustomed inside centre position.
13. Lucio Cinti – 6
A better performance compared to a week ago against Ireland, but with little ball in his hands, he had to defend most of the game.
14. Rodrigo Isgró – 5
He overran a couple of attacking opportunities in a game with few attacking chances. Few kicks went his way, which is his forte. Still getting reacquainted with the XVs game and continues to take forward steps.
15. Juan Cruz Mallía – 5.5
A quiet game for the very efficient Toulouse star. Few opportunities to showcase his talents and more than usual mistakes in what was an incredible test season for him.
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Replacements
16. Ignacio Ruiz – 6.5
When he came on when Montoya was in the sin bin, he showed that the position was well covered. Solid in the scrum, efficient lineout throwing, and he scored under the post after a series of pick-and-goes.
17. Ignacio Calles – 5.5
Ten minutes of hectic activity as Argentina tried to reduce the score deficit. Scrummed well.
18. Francisco Gómez Kodela – 5.5
The 39-year-old brought his experience and the pack had some good moments, including a five-yard penalty that Los Pumas went for a scrum.
19. Franco Molina – 6
He did not lose any of his lineout ball, worked very hard for 30 minutes and in his maiden test-season, he has added much-needed experience.
20. Marcos Kremer – 6
It must be awful to be in a game knowing that sooner or later the opposition will bring him on. The bearded giant played ten minutes as Matera's HIA replacement and the final 34 minutes. As always, strong and with a high work-rate. The pack grew in the second half.
21. Lautaro Bazán Vélez – 5
Awful start to his 34 minutes on the field. Two consecutive charge downs to his clearing kicks, the second of which led to France's fourth try, were his introduction. A good learning curve for the former sevens star.
22. Santiago Carreras – 6
Coming on from the bench to play at centre, he confirmed that he is a player that Los Pumas need, despite losing the number 10 jersey earlier this year. Half an hour that confirmed his test class.
23. Mateo Carreras – 7
Returned to the squad after becoming a father, and the pocket dynamo confirmed that he is a real star. Tackled and attacked with passion and commitment. Despite a French backline with a lot of possession, he retained his defensive position and his size has never been a handicap.
By Frankie Deges
