Argentina player ratings vs England | 2nd Test July series

A second loss for the Argentine Pumas against a pragmatic England side saw the winners well-lead by the efficient player of the series George Ford.

A 79th minute van Poortvliet-try broke what was heading to a draw which would have been a fair result.

Here’s how Los Pumas rated:

1. Thomas Gallo – 4
The return of the running prop did not bring much joy in his 46 minutes on the field. Mistakes with the ball in hand and struggling in the scrum, he’s had better games in the Puma jersey.

Gonzalo Quesada on Bok team

Gonzalo Quesada on Bok team

2. Julián Montoya (captain) – 6,5
Seventy-seven minutes of very, very hard work. As always. He never shines but never lets the team down. Respected as a captain and as an opponent.

3. Francisco Gómez Kodela – 4
Turned 40 nine days ago. Upon leaving Stade Français earlier this year, he had declared himself a former player, yet came back to help out with Los Pumas. He didn’t as he was beaten in the scrum and offered little elsewhere, giving away two penalties. Replaced after 42 minutes. The oldest Puma ever has played his last test.

4. Guido Petti – 6
The future Harlequin, fresh from shining in the Top 14, was busy against players he will play with or against in the new season. Gave away a penalty in a promising attacking move midway through the second half, probably his only mistake.

5. Pedro Rubiolo – 6
You don’t see much of the young lock because he is always in the thick of it. What he does, he does well, and this was another positive game for someone who will play for Argentina for many, many years. He was the guy that play almost two minutes shirtless. The blood in his face showed his constant commitment.

6. Santiago Grondona – 6,5
The Bristol flanker handled the ball few times, but his job description has tackling in bold letters. Solid in that department. Left the field around the hour mark before his younger brother made his test debut.

7. Juan Martín González – 7
A loose forward that would not be out of place as a centre. He can run, pass, tackle, steal lineout ball. Did all of that in San Juan. Again, as always, was amongst the best performers

8. Pablo Matera – 5,5
Became the most capped Puma playing in his 111 cap. He was busy, his 12 carries the most for a Puma on the sunny afternoon. Two turnovers within two minutes controlled dangerous attacks. His 58th minute sin bin was totally avoidable and the former captain didn’t return to the field.

9. Simón Benítez Cruz – 6,5
First test start as his new bald head showed (a Puma tradition), he juggled with the ball to break clean for Lucio Cinti’s first half try. Quick on the ball and always eager to probe the English defence, he kicked too many box kicks in the second half. Seventy efficient minutes for a hungry scrumhalf. With ten minutes to play, he had a great turnover when England were attacking dangerously. As it turned out, it was his last action before being replaced.

10. Santiago Carreras – 5,5
Such a gifted player, the critics are not convinced as Felipe Contepomi is, that his best position is 10. He had some moments in which he showed what he can do; at times, he was a hindrance, not launching his backs. A head knock in the 66th minute forced him to leave the field and finish his season. He deserves his vacation before moving to Bath.

11. Ignacio Mendy – 5,5
England’s first try had him beaten in the air by fellow winger Tom Roebuck from a precise George Ford kick. He made up with his own try, Argentina’s second, at the end of the first half, hungrily chasing a kick by Carreras. He will compete for a starting place come The Rugby Championship.

12. Justo Piccardo – 6
A quieter game than a week ago, he completed his second test – third game including the game against the Lions which, ridiculously, is not considered a test. Responded when tests in defence, did not have attacking opportunities. Moved to flanker when Matera was sinbinned and the scrum remained solid.

13. Lucio Cinti – 7
Worked very well as a partnership with Piccardo; the Saracens centre was very busy throughout the game, both in attack and defence. Finished the series against some club teammates with a good performance, better than in La Plata.

14. Matías Moroni – 7
Part of Los Pumas folklore with his match-saving tackle against Wales in RWC 2024. He had some great defensive moments in this game and a grubber kick led to a 50-22 from which Los Pumas’ second try was launched. A centre by trade, he played out of position and it didn’t show. His ankle tap on Guy Pepper extended the draw until England’s winning try a quarter of an hour later. His heart was contagious.

15. Benjamín Elizalde – 6
His second test showed that he is player for the future. Few, understandable, mistakes, yet better than a week ago. Unfortunately, he lost the ball one minute from fulltime, leading to Jack van Poortvliet’s decisive try a couple of phases later. Had the game finished before that, he would have had a great game.

Reserves

16. Bautista Bernasconi – N/A – Only three minutes in his second cap. Got involved straight away but no influence.

17. Mayco Vivas – 5 – He did not have a good first test a week ago, yet this time, as a 46th minute replacement, the scrum was more solid than until then.

18. Pedro Delgado – 5,5 – Double tackle on Sam Underhill with Thomas Gallo generated an important knock-on straight after taking the field. Solid in the scrum and did his fair share of tackling. Better than a week ago, should get better with more opportunities.

19. Lucas Paulos – N/A –  As with Bernasconi, only three minutes on the field.

20. Facundo Isa – 6,5 – Very busy in the 23 minutes he spent on the field. From number eight, launched several attacks from the back of the scrum and had a crucial turnover five minutes before the final whistle.

21. Benjamín Grondona – 5 – Pablo Matera’s sinbin might have cost him the dream debut of sharing the field of his older brother Santiago. Wasted no time for his first tackle on Sam Underhill and was quite visible with his defensive efforts in the handful of minutes of his first cap.

22. Agustín Moyano – 5 – Only ten minutes for a player that had test-rugby written all over him for a couple of years. He mostly passed and kicked a couple of times. No real attacking opportunities but the first of many caps.

23. Nicolás Roger – 4,5 – Played 14 minutes and had little opportunities to show his attacking abilities. A turnover was his best moment. Had the opportunity of a game-saving tackle in the final England attack but failed to take it.