Argentina player ratings vs England | July Internationals

Los Pumas player ratings – A shadow of the team they were two weeks ago against the British & Irish Lions, Argentina lost 35-12 against an England side that celebrated George Ford’s 100^th cap in style.

The silent crowd was proof of how little the team excited them in a game in which they never imposed themselves.

1. Mayco Vivas – 4
A tackle at the start of the second half was his only visible action. Replaced at the 44^th minute, his last scrum ended in a penalty for England. The scrum with him was never beaten but never really imposed itself.

Rassie Erasmus explains his thought process going into Italy 2

Rassie Erasmus explains his thought process going into Italy 2

2. Julián Montoya – 6
Twice, he opted for a scrum instead of easy penalty kicks in an opening half that saw his side go to the break down 0-3. Maybe getting those points could have given Los Pumas’ some momentum. We’ll never know. He was stronger in the second half against a country he called home for five years. 70, as always, industrious minutes.

3. Pedro Delgado – 4
Was close to his first test try yet gave away two penalties in the scrum. His size is test-standard and his first test start mean he can get better. Replaced after 44 minutes, still a lot to learn.

4. Lucas Paulos – 4
Not a lineout option so his work was reduced to assisting the team in rucks and mauls, pushing in scrums and helping jumpers in the lineout. Not visible enough so probably did the silent work. Replaced in the second half.

5. Pedro Rubiolo – 4.5
The Newcastle lock had an injury-ridden season and it showed, as he didn’t stand out as he normally does. He did score his maiden test try and placed a few tackles in an otherwise quiet game.

6. Pablo Matera – 6
The flanker you never want to play against. Scored Argentina’s first try, supporting the furthest away’s channel. He was constantly on the ball and aggressive in defense.

7. Juan Martín González – 6.5
Was held up in the ingoal in a first half that saw him as always present in attack and defence. Great off-load in the tackle for his side’s second try, he is probably Argentina’s best player nowadays. Not a vintage performance but enough to stand-out from the rest.

8. Facundo Isa – 6
His return to the team showed him busy and working hard against a much hungrier pack. His experience showed until replaced midway in the second half.

9. Gonzalo Bertranou – 4.5
Back in the starting fifteen after losing his place last season, did not shine. Tried his best but at times was off the pace. Maybe his days in the MLR showed. Subbed after 50 minutes. The contrast with the speed on the ball from his replacement Simon Benitez Cruz was noticeable.

10. Santiago Carreras – 5
Ran the game with poise from flyhalf, which will set a great conundrum at Bath: what position will he provide a better service from? The final quarter was at fullback where he also showed what a solid player he is. He wasn’t the leader he could have been.

11. Santiago Cordero – 4.5
Cordero tried to come into action as much as he could but the game did not go his way. England scored on his corner at the start of the second half and was found out of place again for England’s third try. Partly redeemed himself with the final pass to try scorer Matera in Los Pumas’ opening try.

12. Justo Piccardo – 6.5
The powerful centre continued where he had left off in the uncapped test against the Lions. Hard to stop and tough in defence. His first attack was stopped a metre short from the goal line. Let down by his football skills when a possible fifst half try beckoned yet his half break led to his side’s opening try and was involved in all that was good of the team. Which wasn’t much.

13. Lucio Cinti – 5.5
Playing in his home-town, the Saracens centre had a very positive first half. At the start of the second half misread England’s attack, leading to Tommy Freeman’s try. 

14. Rodrigo Isgró – 6
His 15th minute tackle on Henry Slade moved the stadium. A second tackle prevented a try for Roebuck. With the ball in hand, he was hard to stop, gaining valuable yardage yet his game faded in the second half as tiredness crept in. In his first full season of XVs rugby he continues to get better.

15. Benjamín Elizalde – 5
One hour for the debutant. Initially struggled with the tempo and the physicality. A charged down kick of his resulted, a few phases later, in George Ford’s first drop goal. Got better with the game and right before leaving the field, was instrumental in Rubiolo’s try.  Player of the future, did sufficient for a second opportunity next week.

Reserves

16. Bautista Bernasconi – N/A
Little to do in nine minutes with a game that was already, by then, decided.

17. Thomas Gallo – 6
Give him half a gap and he’ll break. Which is what he did, getting the Stadium UNO on its feet. The scrum was better in the final half hour, coinciding with him taking the field.

18. Francisco Coria Marchetti – 5
Took the field with 35 minutes to play and the scrum was solid in that period, better than in the rest of the game.

19. Santiago Grondona – 5
A flanker by election, he came on as a lock which reduced his influence. Still did his share of the work.

20. Joaquín Moro – 5
Thirty minutes for the recent Leicester Tigers signing. His involvement was reduced mostly to defending and supporting. His future teammates and opponents have now put a name to the face

21. Simón Benítez Cruz – 6
In a beaten team, he was quicker on the ball and wanted to move the ball in his 30 minutes on the field. He deserves to start next week,

22. Nicolás Roger – 5.5
Knowing that to reduce the gap and have any opportunity to turn the game around he had to attack. He was given 19 minutes to do this. He tried his best in his first few minutes of test-rugby. When he took the field for Benjamín Elizalde, Santi Carreras moved to fullback.

23. Matías Moroni – 5
You always know what you get with veteran Moroni. Honest worker, with the hunger to continue adding to the team’s performance. Not many opportunities after replacing Cordero on the hour mark.