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
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
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
6 Go to comments