Tri Nations: Pumas player ratings vs All Blacks
Hell has frozen over, pigs are flying and there a plethora of fat ladies between Mendoza and Buenos Aires singing because history was made today at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, where Los Pumas defeated the All Blacks 25-15 in the most unlikely of victories.
The Pumas had not played test rugby since the World Cup and the pundits had tipped a healthy All Black victory as the New Zealanders had selected a strong match day 23 to right the course following a loss to the Wallabies in Brisbane last weekend.
Argentina had other ideas.
Led by the inspirational back rower Pablo Matera, the Pumas simply out-enthused, outthought and outplayed their opponents.
The All Blacks will be bitterly disappointed in being defeated twice in row, with the added sting that former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was on the Pumas coaching staff.
Not an easy day for any All Black fan, but they day belonged to Los Pumas. How did they rate?
15. Santiago Carreras – 7/10
A heart-in-the-mouth performance. Early in the match he appeared too nervous for the occasion and threw away possession to touch when the All Blacks were well on attack. Yet as the game progressed, he found his way and contributed bravely to his sides victory with
14. Bautista Delguy – 7.5/10
Ran the ball with intent every time, even when he crabbed across field in the second half. He went looking for work and was physical in the contact. Was urgent to get back in the line to plug a defensive hole when he could. Quality shift.
13. Matias Orlando – 7/10
Solid and secure all day. Wasn’t spectacular but was urgent and physical both sides of the ball.
12. Santiago Chocobares – 8.5/10
Announced himself to the international game today with a very impressive performance. He fought hard in possession and made the All Blacks work hard in defence allowing opportunities to occur outside him. Outplayed Jack Goodhue, who is a seasoned international. One swallow doesn’t create a summer but this kid could be something special.
Argentina have secured one of the biggest shock international victories in recent memory in their first test of 2020, beating the All Blacks 25-15 at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney. #NZLvARG #TriNations https://t.co/NSHW39pQJa
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2020
11. Juan Imhoff – 7/10
The veteran almost had the legs to score in the first half but was run down by a desperate Aaron Smith. That aside he did his job with little fuss and didn’t cause his own side too many issues.
10. Nicolas Sanchez – 8/10
A superb performance. Sanchez orchestrated this victory with his flyhalf Cubelli. They controlled the rhythm and tempo of this match and both new when to use the short side or the inside ball to wash off All Black line speed when the Pumas were losing momentum in possession.
9. Tomas Cubelli – 8/10
As said with Sanchez, this veteran scrum half was critical in today’s victory with the execution of his box-kicking coupled with his option-taking. He seldom made his forwards work hard in areas they didn’t need to. Got the better of the world’s best 9 today.
8. Rodrigo Bruni – 8/10
Intelligent and tough all day. Slowed down the All Blacks’ go forward with his physicality and was a handful working the short side in possession. Wasn’t awestruck and outplayed Ardie Savea today which isn’t an easy thing to do.
7. Marcos Kremer – 8/10
Absolute beast. Absolute penalty magnet but appeared to have orders to seek and destroy, and Kremer did that. He wanted to take on the All Blacks physically in everything, and despite giving away four penalties, he was the hungriest out there.
6. Pablo Matera (c) – 9/10
Brilliant captaincy on display when he reminded referee Angus Gardner that he was playing for his country and the All Blacks were not respecting that. New Zealand were out-enthused and that enthusiasm came from him from the start to the finish with his physicality and his ability to turnover the ball when his side was under pressure. A definitive performance today.
5. Matias Alemanno – 8/10
Worked hard from beginning to end. While Sam Whitelock was the best lock on the park today, Alemanno was dependable and did his job and did it well, especially in slowing down All Blacks ball.
4. Guido Petti – 8/10
Carbon copy of his locking partner Alemanno. Just tireless and tough all day.
3. Francisco Gomez Kodela – 8/10
Mammoth effort against Joe Moody in the scrum. Was hard working around the recycle and in the tight.
2. Julian Montoya – 8.5/10
Was superb over the ball and in the set piece. The veteran rake played with guile and critically helped slow down the All Black rhythm. A performance befitting of his experience.
1. Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo – 7.5/10
Akin to Kodela, he was superb in the scrum but also in the tight, despite dropping off a few tackles.
Los Pumas have beaten the All Blacks against all the odds. Some context here. ? https://t.co/RhFUs7sMkB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2020
Replacements
16. Facundo Bosch – N/A
On in the 77th
17. Mayco Vivas – NA
On in the 72nd
18. Santiago Medrano – NA
On in the 72nd
19. Santiago Grondona – 7/10
On in the 54 for his debut and didn’t disappoint.
20. Tomas Lezana – NA
21. Gonzalo Bertranou -NA
On in the 77th
22. Lucio Cinti – NA
23. Santiago Cordero – NA
On in the 30th off in the 40th
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments