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Andy Onyeama-Christie on brink of Saracens exit as new club emerge
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Pumas player ratings vs Wallabies | 2025 Rugby Championship
Argentina struggled to keep their composure, again, in the second half against a Wallaby side that took the few opportunities given. The efficiency with the boot of Santiago Carreras was crucial, having scored 23 of the 28 Puma points for a second win in the 2025 Rugby Championship.
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1. Mayco Vivas – 6,5
One free-kick in the scrum, Vivas held his side, handled effectively when the ball came his way and only missed one, unfortunately, quite visible, tackle. He continues to defy critics as he is playing good rugby.
2. Julián Montoya – 8,5
In his 50th cap as captain, 112th overall, scored Los Pumas’ first try showing all his experience, charging down Tane Edmed’s free-kick and outsprinting Nick White to the ball. Denied Rob Valetini his try after a quarter of an hour, turned over two crucial balls and again played most of the game, being replaced after 70 minutes of non-stop action.
3. Joel Sclavi – 7,5
Two early tackles on Harry Wilson and then Taniela Tupou in quick succession, announced the busy day the European Cup Champion would have. Handled the ball repeatedly and did not put a foot wrong – probably his best 50 minutes to date for Argentina.
4. Pedro Rubiolo – 7
It has been said before, you don’t see much of the 22-year-old which only speaks of his high efficiency in the dark arts of being a lock. Tackles hard.
5. Guido Petti – 7
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Had he not killed a great team attack in the first half with a bad final pass to wing Mateo Carreras, he would have probably added more to his final ranking. Stole an important lineout after a 50-22 that was to give the Wallabies momentum. Important in taking restarts and appearing all around the field. Whilst he was on the field, the Wallabies were contained.
6. Juan Martín González – 7
After a quiet game from the bench a week ago, he was his usual self in Sydney playing mostly with the freedom of the openside he is better at, an extra wheel both in defence and attack. A former back, he can certainly handle the ball and read attacks, meaning his involvements were positive.
7. Marcos Kremer – 7,5
Starting as a blindside flanker, could not control a pass that had all the smell of a try almost on the hour and missed a couple of tackles. These so-called ‘mistakes’ in a game of non-stop action, of multiple actions, and of positive contributions, certainly did not count against another solid performance from the bearded giant.
8. Joaquín Oviedo – 7,5
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Positive contributions throughout the game. The few scrums in the game were not a launching pad for his attacks, but he still handled the ball effectively, with fifteen carries. Twelve tackles add to his busy afternoon.
9. Gonzalo García – 8
Brave, García was prepared to fight Tom Hooper, double his size, in the opening minutes. It spoke of his commitment to his team. Quick on the ball, solid passing, lots of vision, gutsy defence. He was replaced half in the 50th minute with an almost empty tank.
Chosen player of the match by the Aussie TV, he was far from that. His untimely yellow card gave life to the Wallabies that scored two tries whilst he was on the sideline and his missed tackle allowed the Wallabies first try. Had a better first than the shortened second half. His 23 points (100% accuracy) equaled Hugo Porta’s record against the Aussies in 1987.
11. Mateo Carreras – 7,5
If you average his workrate with his size, he is probably Argentina’s biggest contributor. He pops up all around the field, tackles with disregard for his body, and with the ball in hand always gains important metres.
12. Santiago Chocobares – 8,5
Painful to see his early tackle on Taniela Tupou in the first half; many would have gone home crying. He continued as the brave star he is and, as Puma supporters are accustomed to, had another good game. Not only he is efficient in attack, his bravery in defence spurs his teammates. As always, one of the best.
13. Lucio Cinti – 7,5
Nicknamed Octopus, his long arms and great reading of the Wallabies attacks, allowed him to tackle with great precision. He seldom handled the ball as the team used his fellow centre Chocobares to launched the attacks wider out.
14. Rodrigo Isgró – 7
His x-factor is the high ball and was efficient in the air – either winning the ball or putting pressure on the Wallabies – as well as busy around the field. Having missed out the last two tests, he was desperate to prove his worth, which he certainly did, also showing his superiority on former sevens rival Corey Toole.
15. Juan Cruz Mallía – 7,5
The fullback continues to show how important he is to the team. Never found out of position, he knows when to kick and attack with flair and vision, often creating space for others. Can shift to flyhalf with equal efficiency, as he did when Carreras was in the sinbin. Consistently one of the Pumas’ best.
16. Ignacio Ruiz – N/A
Continues his apprenticeship from one of the world’s best hookers, Julián Montoya. It would be good to see him play more minutes to be able to see his true worth. Or maybe not when the game is on the line as the last two tests were.
17. Boris Wenger – 7
His bald head a memento from his first test cap a week earlier – a Puma tradition for all debutants – his 20 minutes were a reflection of the player he has become. Soon to move to Harlequins in London, he was visible in the loose, ripped a ball off a Wallaby attack and put his body on the line. Big future ahead.
18. Francisco Coria Marchetti – 6
He did not stand out in the loose, but controlled the handful of scrums and held his own in the final, nerve-wracking, minutes.
19. Franco Molina – 7,5
Nine tackles in thirty minutes, plus winning his lineout and putting constant pressure on the Wallaby lineout, Molina was a true impact player. The best of the replacements in a country he will call home from 2026.
20. Pablo Matera – 6,5
The veteran flank adds another scalp to his test collection. He pushed his teammates to give their all in a final that had many Argentines doubting their hearts would survive. A couple of key tackles it was mostly his leadership that assisted the team.
21. Agustín Moyano – 6
Thirty minutes that will be very important for his growth as he fights for the second scrumhalf spot. He was slower to the ball in comparison with the incumbent Gonzalo García, he did play when the Wallabies had smelt blood and were attacking constantly for survival. He will get better thanks to the experience. His kick-boxing not efficient.
22. Justo Piccardo – n/a
Eight minutes of very hard, under-pressure work. His tackle in the last Wallaby attack generated the match-saving penalty. Having made his test debut late last year, he has already been involved in wins against the Lions, the All Blacks and the Wallabies. Watch out Springboks!
23. Ignacio Mendy – 6,5
Held his own in defence and in his 20+ minutes did not touch the ball as the Wallabies controlled possession most of the time. As his father Christian in 1987, he has now beaten the Wallabies.
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