Scotland player ratings vs Argentina | 1st Test July 2022
Scotland’s recent good run of form against Argentina came to a shuddering halt in Jujuy as the Pumas squeezed the tourists out of the first Test.
The first half resembled attack vs defence with Scotland unable to get their hands on the ball, and although they hit back after the break, the tourists fell away late on.
There will be concerns for Gregor Townsend over the set-piece, which faltered badly, and there are again more questions than answers as to how Scotland build depth in key areas.
Here’s how the Scotland players rated on a difficult afternoon.
15. Rory Hutchinson – 5
Dealt with a high ball well to settle any nerves on his international return and first start at fullback. A lovely touch to give Kinghorn room as Bennett scored, before taking his third Test try well.
14. Darcy Graham – 5
No real opportunities with ball in hand but industrious kick chasing important to Scotland. Handed Argentina a counter attacking chance with a loose kick just before half-time. Also conceded a sloppy penalty early on.
13. Mark Bennett – 5
A really quiet first half in which a big hit was the most noteworthy contribution. However after the interval, the Edinburgh man got his hands on the ball and scored on his first Test start since 2016. Strong in contact when he got a chance to have a go.
12. Sam Johnson – 6
A couple of hefty carries into traffic to get Scotland front foot ball with their very limited attacking chances.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 6
Unable to get into the game in an attacking sense but made two vital tackles. Almost scored after a stray lineout.
10. Blair Kinghorn – 4
A real mixed bag with some good touches for Scotland’s tries but overplays too often at Test level. Still early days in his transition to fly-half at the top level, but Scotland missed Finn Russell and even the control of Adam Hastings.
Argentina are absolutely playing Scotland off the pitch, 18-6 ? pic.twitter.com/peLW9pw1C8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 2, 2022
9. Ali Price – 5
A chance to step up with Scotland missing Russell and Hogg, but made some strange decisions considering visitors’ limited chances to attack. Kicked away turnover ball and tapped a kickable penalty.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 6
Early difficulties at the scrum, but showed his huge engine with a great kick chase and tackle that earned Scotland three points.
2. George Turner – 5
Some really costly errors at the lineout, including one right at the start of the second half. One big carry through the midfield his only other notable act in the opening 40.
3. Zander Fagerson – 5
Dominated at the scrum barring one early decision. Piled into a ruck that was lost and left Scotland numbers down from which de la Fuente scored.
4. Grant Gilchrist – 5
The captain was predictably strong in the tight and works tirelessly but will be disappointed with a couple of wayward lineouts.
5. Jonny Gray – 4
Made a good carry that sucked in home defenders before Hutchinson scored, but otherwise kept really quiet.
6. Magnus Bradbury – 6
A couple of big tackles on Matera as Argentina threatened the Scottish line early on.
7. Luke Crosbie – 5
Captained Scotland ‘A’ last weekend and given a go with Watson injured and Darge only just returning from injury. Prominent with ball in hand early but picked off by Mallia for Carreras’ try.
8. Matt Fagerson – 6
Worked hard, won a couple of jackal penalties, but Scotland’s breakaway trio couldn’t get on top of the Pumas loose forwards.
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman – 4
Needs to do more if he’s to usurp Turner and get ahead of Brown and McInally in pecking order.
17. Rory Sutherland – 3
Back after missing the tail end of the Six Nations, but struggled at the scrum and no impact with ball in hand.
18. Javan Sebastian – 3
The Scarlets man wasn’t able to have the same impact as he did against Chile a week ago. Only notable contribution was to pile into a maul at the side.
19. Sam Skinner – 4
Replaced Gray inside the final 15 minutes, but the game had gone by then.
20. Rory Darge – 5
Just back from injury, the Glasgow man didn’t have the same impact as during the Six Nations but battled hard.
21. Ben White – 4
Sharp at the breakdown, but another who conceded a soft penalty.
22. Ross Thompson – N/A
Unused
23. Sione Tuipulotu – N/A
On for Johnson inside the final 10 minutes. No time to make an impact as the game petered out.
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.
17 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