Los Pumas player ratings vs South Africa | The Rugby Championship
The 22-21 Puma loss saw them struggle with the physical domination of a Springboks team that takes no shortcuts in attack and involves many players at the breakdown. With eight points that went missing from the boot meant that the last-second converted try counted for little.
The final 20 minutes showed a more commanding performance by Michael Cheika’s side that will now share the charter flight with their victors as both teams cross the Atlantic Ocean to play a RWC warm-up game next Saturday in Buenos Aires.
Here is how the Pumas rated in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park:
1. Thomas Gallo – 5/10
The smallest front-row on the field, he struggled in the scrum, but never stopped trying. His biggest asset is his attacking ability but didn’t manage any of his usual runs.
2. Julián Montoya – 6
The captain was his usual self – industrious and worked hard, even if he played against, arguably, the game’s best hooker Malcolm Marx. The blood in his shirt represented his huge commitment.
3. Francisco Gómez Kodela – 4.5
First Springbok try came from a lineout move in the front, which he failed to read. Beaten in the scrum, he wasn’t visible in the loose.
4. Lucas Paulos – 6
Heavily involved in defence, gave away unnecessary penalties. Trying to tackle a bulldozing Duane Vermeulen resulted in an 38th minute exit on a stretcher. Showed sufficient progress to, if he recovers from what seemed a big head injury, to be considered for RWC-selection.
5. Tomás Lavanini – 5
Well-behaved, he didn’t fight Eben Etzebeth as they’ve normally done in the last 18 tests. He did give away a couple of penalties and despite his size matching the Boks’s, with ball in had was easily stopped.
6. Pablo Matera – 5.5
After a quiet opening 40 minutes, he had a better second half. As an open side flanker, he was never first to ball and saw how the Springboks turned over ball or slowed Argentina’s possession.
7. Santiago Grondona – 6.5
Ubiquitous, he could not match the physical presence of the Springboks’ pack but tried his best and turned over a couple of key balls. Fifty-five minutes of spirited work against a good Springboks’ pack.
8. Juan Martín González – 6.5
Played 55 minutes at number eight, position in which he is being tested, and finished the game at blindside flanker. Clearly a player that has to be on the field as he can run, pass, tackle. Struggled against the physical presence of the Boks’ but was one of the best Puma forwards.
9. Lautaro Bazán Vélez – 5
It was a big game for the former sevens star but he failed to impress in 48 minutes on the field, with inaccurate passing and aimless kicking. His life wasn’t made easy with a well-beaten pack not providing clean ball. Different would have been his life in those final 20 minutes.
10. Santiago Carreras – 6
Left the field after 20 minutes for an HIA after kicking two penalties. Trying to tackle a running Eben Etzebeth on his way to his fifth try was almost suicidal. Came back to add a first half penalty and prevent a try in the last second of the opening half. First-choice kicker for the day, missed two penalties and a conversion which would have made the difference in the end. Nonetheless, a solid performance.
11. Juan Imhoff – 5.5
Searched for work all over the field; trying to run from a kick-off an awful pass he threw ended in the Springboks’ first points. Little clean ball to show his true attacking skills yet his defensive positioning was sound.
12. Santiago Chocobares – 6
His first test under coach Michael Cheika showed how good the Toulouse centre can be. It wasn’t the easiest of games with an asphyxiating Springbok defence. Did enough to confirm he should be first choice come RWC-time.
13. Lucio Cinti – 7
A busy afternoon for a player that is being asked to establish himself as outside centre. Long legs and arms, was a match for the strength of the Boks backs. Sound decision making under pressure.
14. Mateo Carreras – 7.5
In his 10th test, he continues to confirm that size doesn’t matter, bringing down players his teammates couldn’t. His try in the 74th minute was a testament to the team’s hunger, but that he scored was deserved.
15. Juan Cruz Mallía – 6.5
Could have – should have? – seen the red card in the first 10 seconds. First clearance kick charged down for an almost try; after that, was well-positioned throughout the game, helped in attack and defence and showed all the abilities that took him to win the French Championship with Toulouse.
Reserves
16. Ignacio Ruiz – Played a handful of minutes as a blood-bin replacement of captain Montoya and in the last 2 minutes. Argentina would score when he was on the field and Ruiz showed himself.
17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro – 6 – The experienced prop was very busy in the few minutes on the field, when Los Pumas had possession and position.
18. Joel Sclavi – 6 – The two-time European champion played 20 minutes in his first game after and enforced summer break. Carried the ball a few times but, understandably, failed to advance with two and three Springboks trying to tackle him.
19. Pedro Rubiolo – 6 – Took Paulos place seconds before the break and worked hard in a second half that saw a better Puma performance. Involved in defence and attack, he needs a new opportunity to try and secure a place in the World Cup squad
20. Facundo Isa – 6.5 – This was an important game for the Toulon forward. Had only 25 minutes to try to convince the selectors of his worth. Struggled in the scrum, with the uncomfortable Faf de Klerk putting him under pressure. In the loose he was strong and efficient.
21. Gonzalo Bertranou – 6 – The team played better in the final 30 minutes, when he was on the field. His try in the last second was an accolade of his best game this year.
22. Tomás Albornoz – N/A – Played only a few minutes when Carreras was undergoing the HIA process. Showed his style when running at the defence, and breaking, with the first ball he handled.
23. Matías Moroni – 6.5 – Very busy in his fifteen minutes on the field, having more attacking options than Imhoff. Always a solid player.
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to comments