Player Ratings: Ireland against Argentina
With the dust now settled on Ireland’s third and final victorious Autumn international we look at how the boys in green fared against Los Pumas.
While player ratings are below a special mention must be made to defence coach Andy Farrell. Over the last number of years there have been arguments made that while Steve Hansen may coach the best team in world rugby, Joe Schmidt is the world’s best coach. After yesterday’s display, it might be time we acknowledged Farrell as one of – if not the – best defensive coaches on the circuit.
Anyway onto the players:
15 Rob Kearney
Played like the Kearney of old. Made a number of good line breaks beating several defenders. As always imperious under the highball, looking sharp and clinical while his tackling was of a high standard. Superb tracking back and tackle in the final moments.
8/10
14 Adam Byrne
A first international cap for the young Leinster man and proved a steady hand. May not have received enough ball to show his true skill but was exciting when given the chance. Made a couple of tackles showing a better quality of defence, which has been questioned lately.
6/10
13 Chris Farrell
A superb performance from the Munster man. Defensively was solid while doing a lot of hard work off the ball. Passed with sublime hands throughout and looked as comfortable as a veteran in his position.
8/10
12 Bundee Aki
While he may not have produced the exciting game breaking display most expect from him, Aki was strong in on defence as well, bringing powerful momentum into collisions. While kept quiet on attack, his tackle on Santiago González Iglesias a standout defensive moment.
6/10
11 Jacob Stockdale
Man of the match on the day and really there was no question. Two tries and a wonderful defensive display when called upon. His size and pace were on full display, and were especially evident for his second try as he powered past the Argentinian defence to go over the line.
9/10
10 Johnny Sexton
Kicked well from the tee despite one missed conversion and once again put his body on the line numerous times in defence.
7/10
9 Conor Murray
Not his best day at the office. His box kicking was solid form but maybe let down by the lack of a kick chaser from his teammates. Passed well throughout but was slow to the breakdown and looked off the pace.
6/10
8 C J Stander
Once again showed his power with strong carries in the first half with a number of clinical defensive tackles. Was a clear leader throughout.
7/10
7 Sean O’Brien
Another who showed his sheer strength around the pitch. Made a number of metres with ball in hand while defensively was kept busy. While being one of the busiest at the breakdowns, ultimately not much more than a solid outing for the Tullow Tank.
6/10
6 Peter O’Mahony
Much like O’Brien was busy at the breakdown and went looking for the work. Came off his feet a number of times and was lucky not to give away some silly penalties. Contributed hugely to a dominant scrum in the first 60 but not his best night.
6/10
5 Iain Henderson
Showed why he’s Ireland’s first choice in the second row right now. Whether he plays at four or five his work rate off the ball is phenomenal with his line-out and maul presence is invaluable. Went about his work with sheer class and determination.
8/10
4 James Ryan
Produced a fairly impressive defensive display for his first international start, linking well with Henderson. Added to a dominant Irish forward pack at scrum time. Could have been higher with more time on the pitch but was replaced on 48 minutes with a shoulder injury.
6/10
3 Tadhg Furlong
Was part of a forward pack that for the majority dominated a very strong Argentinian eight. Spent much of his time working defensively and put some important and powerful hits in, none more so than on Tomas Lezana which the referee thought might have been illegal but in fact was just an incredibly powerful hit.
7/10
2 Rory Best (captain)
As always Best went about his duties in a commanding yet quiet way. His line-out and scrummaging was sturdy while over the ball he was very strong.
6/10
1 Cian Healy
Only a few weeks ago many would have laughed at allowing Healy to be on the bench for Ireland let alone starting, well he has proven those critics wrong. His level of scrummaging has come on massively – he almost looks like he is holding the entire scrum on one arm. His work rate was through the roof.
8/10
Replacements:
16 James Tracy
Not enough time for rating.
17 Dave Kilcoyne
Came on for Healy before picking up an injury and being replaced shortly after. Not enough time for rating.
18 John Ryan
Solid for the last 15, kept the forwards strong.
5/10
19 Devin Toner
Came on just after the half, filled in nicely but never fully got going.
5/10
20 Rhys Ruddock
Limited time on the field replacing O’Brien but was sturdy and looked to try and up his sides tempo.
5/10
21 Luke McGrath
Not enough time for rating.
22 Ian Keatley
Not enough time for rating.
23 Andrew Conway
Came on at the hour mark and continued his impressive form from the last number of tests. Good footwork and speed shown in his limited time on the pitch.
6/10
Comments on RugbyPass
“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.
154 Go to commentsAll I can say after reading this bitter, sour, sad piece is… Thank you very much! This will be read in the change room just before kick off on 31 August…
171 Go to commentsLook, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
171 Go to commentsForget the 85kg bit, that can become something else. However I do like the one off test on ANZAC day idea. SR plays Fri/ Sat, test players travel Sunday and the squads have the full week together before playing Saturday. Rest of SR has a week off. Either involve women's teams in same location or in the other country and rotate annually. Herbert is right in that change is needed.
3 Go to commentsI’ve read loads of nonsense before but this article takes the cake. Or perhaps someone changed the date for April Fool's Day.
3 Go to commentsReally Rugbypass? Ben Smith I think you forgot what the Springboks did to the All Blacks at Twickenham 8 weeks earlier? Springboks 35 All Blacks 7. There is alot of ifs and buts in your article. The All Blacks threw the sink at the Springboks and unfortunately they were not good enough regardless if they played with 14 men or not. It was the Springboks who forced the All Blacks to make mistakes! Sorry but not Sorry the Springboks is the best ever Rugby World Cup Nation in the world. 4 Cups baby!
171 Go to commentsYou just backed the Boks with that fantastic review! Well done! Have some cake!
171 Go to commentsBen Smith please write up something better than this. The Springboks would have won the world cup if you were 15 men on the field. They would have found a way, they always find a way to beat the All Blacks.
171 Go to commentsWow, there is a lot of “could have” and “ should have” in this waist of time dribble. I love the desperation in this story to search for a glimpse at a silver lining. Here are the facts, NZ was a badly coached and undisciplined shadow of their former glory. They never took the lead in a game they were never going to win.
171 Go to commentsGOTTA MAKE ‘THE GEORGE’ HAPPEN!!!! That’s a great idea! A trans Tasman midget battle on ANZAC Day. I don’t think the ABs Wallabies game should be a one off winner takes all though, just the first match with the other two later in the year with the RC. Reason being, no one will ever shut up about how aussies couldn’t win it when it was a 3 match series.
3 Go to comments@Ben smith. Thats knock out rugby. So honeslty who cares?
171 Go to commentsIt will interesting to know which Irish players said that…
2 Go to commentsNaaaww boys will be boys! Now run along ya wee scamp! Don’t let us catch you at again😏
1 Go to commentsGreat to have Ethan Blackadder back in the Crusaders in the last few weeks. One of the best all round loose forwards around. He played so well last week against the Rebels. Fantastic attitude Ethan has and his comments are spot on.
2 Go to commentsThe author is 100% right. The Springboks know that they don't have near the natural attraction, mana, skill and mystic the All Blacks have. So, Chasing the sun 1 & 2 was concocted to overblow the Boks image on the back of a corruptly obtained “win". It's marketing ploy to force the Boks delusion as the World's Best. I guess World Rugby is also not to be believed when it came out with an apology about how the final was officiated. And if the 2023 final such a superb game by the Boks, then the Boks crying about Referee Bryce Lawrence for decades is also deserves a laugh. Chase the sun and get burned like a moth. A very well written literary piece that tore the Boks and Chasing the sun farce to shreds. 🖤All Blacks🏉
171 Go to commentsI’d say France was far more hard done by in the 2011 final than the All Blacks in this game. Joubert simply refused to call a penalty against the All Blacks in the last quarter even directing an All Black to drop a ball he picked up in an offside position rather than penalizing him. This article also totally discounts the efforts of PSTD. Ask Jordie how well he played. Or the backup flank who played hooker for the entire game. Siya was also a brilliant tackle by Richie from scoring a blinder. Pollard was also fantastic. Look I don’t like the boks style but the only thing more questionable than the content of this article is the timing of it. Get over it already
171 Go to commentsDad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
2 Go to commentsWhat ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
171 Go to commentsOmg… you are bruised And battered Benny. Stop crying … the scoreboard speaks. What a pathetic lover you are.. 🤣🤣🤣
171 Go to commentsThis is the single worst piece of journalism I have ever seen since your last one. As a neutral, who really states that there should be an asterisk next to a win? You are an utter embarrassment to real AB fans, journalism and that joke of a house which pays you for this nonsense. Get a life, Ben.
171 Go to comments