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
The pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to comments