Ireland Player Ratings vs Argentina
Ireland made it 10 home Test wins in a row for the first time in their history with a 28-17 win over Argentina in Dublin. It did come at a cost with another injury for back row Sean O’Brien. Nathaniel Cope was at the Aviva Stadium for RugbyPass and rated the performances of the Irish players.
15. Jordan Larmour 6
After a three-try showing in Chicago, Larmour was given another shot at the 15 jersey in Rob Kearney’s absence. Penalised for holding on in the 3rd minute which led to Nicolas Sanchez’ early penalty. He didn’t look convincing under the high ball, in the 29th minute neither he or Keith Earls dealt with a ball into the in-goal area, but Ireland got away with it. Larmour also spilled a high ball in the 44th minute on the halfway line. Aerial ability is one of Kearney’s strengths and this dependability will see him selected for the All Blacks clash if he’s fit. Larmour’s ability with ball in hand is without question, one example being when he sidestepped three players in heavy traffic midway through the first half.
14. Keith Earls 6
Part of the mix-up with Larmour in the 29th minute. Didn’t get the ball in his hands, with only two carries all game.
13. Will Addison 6
Robbie Henshaw’s tight hamstring meant Addison was thrown in for his first Test start having come off the bench against Italy last week. He and Aki were caught out by Mattias Orlando’s break in the lead up to Bautista Delguy’s 16th minute try, but defensive blips are natural considering the late centre alteration. Showed good awareness and a step in the 63rd minute to evade Matias Moroni when dealing with a loose ball and then linking up with Larmour.
12. Bundee Aki 8
An abrasive carrier and looked Ireland’s biggest threat offensively, took his 24th minute try well and after turnover from a dominant Irish scrum. A blip was his late tackle on Nicolas Sanchez which gave Argentina a shot at goal to make it 14-12 to Argentina. Went down clutching his leg late on, but bounced back up eventually.
11. Jacob Stockdale 6
A 16th minute knock on from an aerial ball, but he did take another late on. it’s an area that still needs work. Didn’t get an opportunity in space to showcase his electric pace.
10. Johnny Sexton 6
His kicking accuracy out of hand was uncharacteristically shoddy, there was a poor crossfield kick in 22nd minute when Ireland had penalty advantage deep in Argentine territory. Another in the 41st minute to give away possession on the halfway and four minutes later an overcooked kick went into the deadball zone after Dan Leavy had won a turnover. Missed a few shots at goal too. Will be desperate for vast improvement next week with fellow 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year contender, Beauden Barrett, opposite him.
9. Kieran Marmion 8
With Conor Murray “highly unlikely” to feature against the All Blacks, according to Joe Schmidt Kieran Marmion had his chance to stake his claim. He had a lively performance scoring a 9th minute try off the back of a dominant scrum, his fourth for Ireland. He also did well to offload after being clattered by Tomas Lavanini for Aki’s try. Rolled his ankle before the hour mark, but should be fit for next weekend.
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Watch: Joe Schmidt on O’Brien, Murray and All Blacks
1. Cian Healy 6
Often one of Ireland’s go-to men when it comes to carrying, but that wasn’t the case against Argentina. Irish front row had the upper hand at scrum time though. Substituted in the 53rd minute for Jack McGrath.
2. Rory Best 6
The Irish captain’s first international since clinching the Six Nations, having missed the June tour to Australia with injury and left at home for last week’s win over Italy. Put under pressure at lineout time with Ireland losing three lineouts during the match.
3. Tadhg Furlong 8
Powerful carry in the 5th minute. Furlong also had the upper hand on his inexperienced opposite number Santiago Garcia Botta, with Ireland far superior at scrum time.
4. Iain Henderson 6
Tadhg Beirne wasn’t in the 23-man squad, and Joe Schmidt mentioned in the build-up that Henderson needed a big game. But this was not one of his better performances in an Ireland shirt, illustrated by two spilled restarts after Ireland’s two tries. Did get through his fair share of work defensively with 10 tackles. Replaced just before the hour by Devin Toner.
5. James Ryan 8
Awarded man of the match and his usual industrious self in the loose with a strong carrying threat, topping the charts with 12 carries. Ireland’s top tackler too, with 13.
6. Peter O’Mahony 8
Made a couple of key interventions at crucial points, a lineout steal five metres out from the Argentine line in the 64th minute, which almost led to a try for Dan Leavy under the posts. Ireland did eventually score a try two minutes later after incessant pressure. O’Mahony also emerged with the ball from an Argentine maul in the 78th minute as the Pumas chased the game and it led to a territory swing of 70 plus metres and effectively ended the game in the process.
7. Sean O’Brien 6
His first match for Ireland since November last year and the unfortunate Leinster flanker faces another stint on the sidelines coming off in the 38th minute with a broken right arm, ruling him out for the rest of Ireland’s November campaign. Schmidt said O’Brien was “just getting into the rhythm” when he picked up his latest injury. A Six Nations return is the target with Schmidt saying post-match that O’Brien was “already thinking about his rehab”.
8. CJ Stander 6
The number eight didn’t have one of his more rampaging days, five carries yielded 23 metres and chipped in with 11 tackles.
16. Sean Cronin 6
Came on in the 59th minute, did all that was required of him.
17. Jack McGrath 6
A 53rd minute replacement for Healy, made a few carries, did his part of the bargain at scrum-time too.
18 Andrew Porter 6
Came on for Furlong, scrum continued to have the upper hand.
19. Devin Toner 6
Came on for Iain Henderson just before the hour. The lineout improved subsequently.
20. Dan Leavy 8
A 38th minute sub for the injured Sean O’Brien. 6 carries and made 37 metres. Unlucky not to have scored a try under the posts in the 64th minute. Industrious at the breakdown as ever with two turnovers. His only blemish was when he gave away a penalty in the 42nd minute which led to Argentina retaking a 17-15 lead.
21. Luke McGrath 7
Came on for the injured Marmion and did well. Broke off the back of another solid scrum, nipping inside Pablo Matera to score a try in the 65th minute, it was his second try in 7 internationals. Likely to have to settle for a place on the bench again next week however.
22. Joey Carbery n/a
Came on with the game won, not a sufficient amount of game-time to rate.
23. Andrew Conway n/a
A very late introduction for Bundee Aki.
You may also like: Eddie Jones spoke after England’s 16-15 defeat to the All Blacks at Twickenham
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
16 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments