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Ireland player ratings vs Argentina | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

By Ian Cameron at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sam Prendergast of Ireland, right, makes his way onto the pitch to replace team-mate Jack Crowley during the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland player ratings: Ireland were once again afflicted by unforced errors in a hard-fought 22-19 win at HQ but there were enough reserves of resolve to save the day from an Argentinian side that came within a whisker of nicking this one.

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This altogether nervy performance from Ireland might not be enough to banish the ghosts of New Zealand, but it will do wonders for the confidence.

1. Andrew Porter – 7
Had his hands full in the scrum against the 139kg Joel Sclavi. Was industrious in defence and was one of Ireland’s most frequent carriers too.

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2. Ronan Kelleher – 6
A better effort than last weekend’s efforts, even if not blemish-free. Tried hard in open play and had his moments, even if accidentally running in front of Joe McCarthy –  handing Tomos Albornoz a well-taken 3-pointer – was not one of them.

3. Finlay Bealham – 6.5
Held his own at scrum time for the most part and popped up to carry competently on occasion. Got binned for a soft-looking croc-roll in the 17th minute, which is a real hot button for officials at the moment.

Fixture
Internationals
Ireland
22 - 19
Full-time
Argentina
All Stats and Data

4. Joe McCarthy – 8
Put in a tireless shift, which was duly rewarded in the 32nd minute when he crashed his way over off a James Lowe charge. He was constantly in amongst it, even if he went into mullet mode when sin-binned in the 50th minute.

5. James Ryan – 7
Carried well and topped Ireland’s dominant tackle charts. Uncharacteristically lacked composure under pressure at times, most notably an 8th-minute fumble that gifted Argentina a scrum in Ireland’s 22.

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6. Tadhg Beirne – 7.5
The odd turnover aside he was one of Ireland’s standout forwards, making crucial turnovers and consistently disrupting Argentina.  A defensive bulwark who fought tooth and nail to keep Ireland in the game. Unlucky not to score after knocking on over the line.

7. Josh van der Flier – 6.5
Spent most of his time on the field in the trenches, scrapping for spare change. Not his most effective game but it was by no means a bad outing.

8. Caelan Doris – 7
Carried with intent and gained meters, even if Los Pumas’ tackling was particularly unyielding. No figurative trees pulled up but he never shirked the combat zone.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 6
By no means was this his flashiest performance but his service was solid even his kick-to-contest game was a little off. Got caught napping by Julian Montoya on occasion.

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10. Jack Crowley – 8
This writer has been critical of Crowley in the past but this was first-class stuff for the most part. Shook off a huge head contact to moments later slice his way through the blue wall for Ireland’s first try. Kicked well for territory, at goal and showed his ability to play heads-up rugby when it was on.

11. James Lowe – 5
Again a threat with ball in hand after a mixed game against the All Blacks last week, injecting energy into Ireland’s in both attack and defence; holding Guido Petti up to win Ireland a penalty in the 13th minute being a highlight. Against that, he was just far, far too loose here and looked desperate at times.

12. Robbie Henshaw – 5.5
Back on the starting sheet at the expense of Bundee Aki and he proved his value here – initially at least. Bullocking runs and a brick wall in defence were the order of the day in the first half, before he faded in the second, another Irish player infected with butter-fingeritis.

13. Garry Ringrose – 6
Seemed to have been off to a horror start after throwing a telegraphed pass that was intercepted, but was saved when the subsequent Argentinian try not scrubbed off. There was no escaping his second-half missed tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia however, even if he was superb at times with ball in hand.

14. Mack Hansen – 6
One of Ireland’s livelier players on what was a scrappy night at times. Made look silly by Mallia [he wasn’t the only one to be fair] and was guilty of forcing it at times in attack. Could be found on occasion geeing up the crowd, which Tony Ward must have hated.

15. Hugo Keenan – 6
The usual safety net under the high ball and made a couple of semi-promising runs. That said, he’s not as influential in attack, where his blade has been slightly dulled of late.

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring – 5
Got through plenty of work, even if a late missed tackle didn’t help Irish nerves.

17. Cian Healy – 6
Brought experience off the bench to equal Ireland’s all-time Test cap appearances record held by Brian O’Driscoll.

18. Thomas Clarkson – 8
Against a mediocre evening for Ireland, Clarkson shone. Wasn’t always rewarded for his dominance as both traded illegal blows at the set-piece, but he gave as good as he got.

19. Ryan Baird – 5
Got stuck in but didn’t add a great deal other than hard graft.

20. Peter O’Mahony – 6
A huge roar greeted the Munster veteran as if the baying Aviva crowd were willing him to singlehandedly save Ireland.

21. Craig Casey – NA
Not on long enough to rate.

22. Sam Prendergast – 6.5
Showed heart in his 20-minute cameo in difficult circumstances, even if he tried to do it all himself at times.

23. Jamie Osborne – 7.5
Looked sharp and hungry, adding some much needed-punch to Ireland’s haphazard attack.

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Comments

17 Comments
N
NK 25 days ago

1 point for Porter for tirelessly moving in front of Albornoz during his penalty kicks.

k
kk 25 days ago

Overrated Irish helped by an overrated

Referee.. Unlucky Argentina

W
Westy 25 days ago

You should include Doris in the Argentinian player ratings. He was on the Argie side of the ruck without getting penalized that I thought he had changed allegiance and was playing for Argie. When he was cleared out for being in an offside position the Argie player got yellow carded!

😤

C
Cantab 25 days ago

I thought both teams were mediocre and a draw would have been a fair result. Neither SA or AB would have lost to this over rated Irish side. NZ of course didn't

R
Rob 25 days ago

SA of course did 🫣

L
Laureano Pizales 25 days ago

What about the Argentina players rating?

S
SadersMan 25 days ago

I didn't think ARG's 1st yellow was a card at all, not even a penalty. The Irish player was lower than the tackler & actually raised his height, thus causing the head clash in my opinion. As we know, not all head clashes are foul play & for me, this was such an instance. And a double blow for ARG was that they had a legit try erroneously ruled out. A poor standard of officiating by Williams, & TMO.

R
Rob 25 days ago

Absolutely right, can’t expect nearly an all kiwi officiating team to know the rules properly 😉

J
JWH 25 days ago

You have to include the ref when rating Irish players you know?


Referee was horrendous for both sides, but in particular Argentina. That YC for Molina was pretty ridiculuous.

B
BA 25 days ago

Nup they all yellows but first one only just was

R
Robespierre 25 days ago

VDF was excellent last week and this week. Henshaw was great in the first half. Sam Prendergast tried to "do it all by himself" precisely once, when he did very well but was left unsupported. McCarthy had a mixed game, as did Crowley. Hansen was poor for the second week in a row. How was Casey not on long enough to rate but Baird was considering Baird was on all of a minute? These ratings were phoned in, the author must have been drunk by half-time.

L
LRB 25 days ago

Well, I won't be watching any replays of that match.!


Quoting Shane Horgan (not a fan) from last week..


"South Africa would have pumped" Ireland tonight.. 😂

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SK 5 hours ago
'Razor's conservatism is in danger of halting New Zealand's progress'

Its an interesting few points you raise Nick. Rassie has been way bolder than Razor in selection but then again he really has to be as he plots towards 2027. The reality is more than half his squad from 2023 may have to be culled and this includes some of the best players the Boks have ever had on their books. The age profile of his team was such that he needed to blood all these young players and he will do the same next year with even more players as he tries to put together a squad with enough experience to take to 2027. Razor on the other hand has a large number of players that will make 2027. Alot of players will be over 100 caps and these players would have multiple caps together. A large amount of these are starters as well. He is trying to build combinations and a rigid style of play. Razor wants absolute control and you can see it. He wants his players to follow his instructions to the tee. He will not accept anything less. He has included some young guns who he will stick with and older players who have earned his trust. Razor goes with what he knows and appears reluctant to accept quick change. He is the kind of coach who will change incrementally and that may not be a bad thing given his position and the profile of his squad. It also gives the players time to setlle into their roles and to work within his system. Razor has a narrow focus on winning. he wants results now and wont take any risks in selection while he believes the current group can win. He is the most conservative NZ coach in the last 25 years to take the top job. This could stall NZ progress or it could create a team that is unstoppable and ready for anything going into 2027 albeit without the same level of depth as the Boks.

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