Scotland player ratings vs Argentina | 2nd Test July 2022
Like the rest of the home nations, Scotland ensured this three-match series would go to a decider next weekend with a much-improved performance in Salta.
There was a lot of huffing and puffing in the first half before the visitors broke clear through Hamish Watson on his 50th cap.
Three more tries followed in an excellent second half performance at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena.
Here is our take on how the tourists performed.
15. Rory Hutchinson – 6
Unable to get involved in Scotland’s attack as much as he usually does for Northampton. Forced off injured just before half-time.
14. Darcy Graham – 7.5
Outrageous high ball take nearly put his wing colleague away.
13. Mark Bennett – 7.5
Not many opportunities in the first half, but an outstanding line to score for the second game running. An excellent strip on Boffelli late on. Has really put his hand up the past fortnight.
12. Sam Johnson – 7
The Scottish midfield was sloppy in the first half, but the Glasgow man hit some lovely lines – including one for his try that sealed the win.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7.5
Got on the ball inside the opening minute, and an important tackle when Carreras broke through. Nearly scored, but got to stay in field.
10. Blair Kinghorn – 6.5
Another disappointing showing and the jury will be very much out on his international future at fly-half. Struggled to get Scotland’s strike moves going with some sloppy passing. Looked much better when he shifted to fullback and made two important defensive interventions.
9. Ben White – 8
Really sharp on his first international start. A lovely snipe put Bennett away and another directly led to Fagerson’s try.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 7.5
Outstanding footwork in the run-up to Bennett’s try. Scotland’s most regular source of front-foot ball.
2. Dave Cherry – 6.5
One of the men brought into the side after a shaky set-piece performance last weekend. However, the lineout wobbled again. Nevertheless, the Edinburgh man added his weight to a much-improved scrum.
3. Zander Fagerson – 7.5
After struggling last weekend, he got dominance at the scrum. Also cut out the jersey pulling and put his energy to better use with ball in hand. A mature showing.
4. Sam Skinner – 7
In for Jonny Gray, he worked hard and offered more in the loose. Standout moments included piling into Bertranou on the hosts’ line and a choke tackle early in the second period. A regular source of lineout ball too.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 6.5
Another hard working performance, but not quite at his best. Scotland’s captain also runs their lineout and will be disappointed with its shortcomings. He also gave away a needless early penalty that let Boffelli level the scores early on.
6. Rory Darge – 8.5
Outstanding, all action performance on his return. A strong early carry set the tone for his performance, a couple of turnover penalties and led the carrying charge for the tourists’ second try. Also prevented Carreras from scoring with a last-ditch effort.
7. Hamish Watson – 8
Back fron injury, the Edinburgh man marked his 50th cap with a trademark all-action display, capped with a vital first-half try. Also a threat at the breakdown and put in a power of work before making way with the game won.
8. Matt Fagerson – 7.5
A well-taken first international try the highlight of another solid performance. Not the biggest international no. 8 but always makes good ground. An excellent jackal penalty late on too as the Pumas hunted a consolation.
Replacements
16. George Turner – 6
On for Cherry on 55 minutes, but his first lineout – an area he struggled in last week – was stolen. Redeemed himself somewhat with a clever pick and go that gave Scotland front foot ball before Johnson’s try.
17. Jamie Bhatti – 6
The Glasgow man with a huge scrum penalty in the shadows of his own posts.
18. Javan Sebastian – 6
Scotland didn’t have much ball after he came on, but the Scarlets man continued where Fagerson left off at the scrum.
19. Scott Cummings – 6
Recalled to the side and got the final 15 minutes, replacing the captain. Some good hits as Argentina looked for a second try.
20. Andy Christie – 5
The Saracens man wasn’t really able to get into the game after he replaced Watson to win his second cap for final 10 minutes.
21. Ali Price – 6.5
Took over from the impressive White for the final 25 minutes and captained the side when Gilchrist and Watson left. Showed good leadership when Argentina piled on pressure.
22. Ross Thompson – 6
First task after replacing injured Rowe was to knock over a conversion. Some good touches before he landed another.
23. Kyle Rowe – 5
A short-lived debut. Won a good jackal penalty shortly after coming on but kicked loosely that nearly led to an Argentina try.
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments