Argentina was defeated by South Africa in the Rugby Championship decider, struggling with defense, scrum performance, and errors. Player ratings revealed a standout performance from Santiago Grondona, while others like Tomas Lavanini and Mateo Carreras were criticized for their lack of impact and defensive errors. The team must address these weaknesses moving forward.
Argentina’s performance against South Africa in the Rugby Championship decider fell short of expectations, ultimately leading to a disappointing defeat. While the Los Pumas displayed moments of ambition and skill, they struggled to match the physical prowess of the Springboks in Nelspruit. Issues such as a disintegrating scrum, excessive errors, and vulnerability in defense significantly hindered their effectiveness on the field. The player ratings highlighted individual contributions, with Santiago Grondona standing out as the best forward for Argentina, while several other players, such as Tomas Lavanini and Mateo Carreras, faced criticism for their lackluster performances. 1. Thomas Gallo – 5: Gallo worked diligently but struggled against the South African scrum. 2. Julian Montoya – 5: The captain was industrious, tackling fiercely but faced challenges in set-piece play. 3. Joel Sclavi – 4: Sclavi struggled in scrums and provided little impact in open play. 4. Pedro Rubiolo – 6: Defensively solid but failed to make a significant mark in other areas. 5. Tomas Lavanini – 4: Rarely featured in the game, contributing to defensive woes. 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez – 6.5: Made impactful tackles but lacked consistent influence. 7. Santiago Grondona – 8: The standout forward who contributed significantly to Argentina’s attacks. 8. Joaquin Oviedo – 7: Strong carrying didn’t consistently challenge the South African defense. 9. Gonzalo Garcia – 5.5: A lively effort marred by careless defensive lapses. 10. Tomas Albornoz – 7: Showed creative potential with a key try but lacked tactical consistency. 11. Mateo Carreras – 4: Highlighted for poor defense, leading to a yellow card. 12. Santiago Chocobares – 6: Struggled against De Allende before injury curtailed his match. 13. Matias Moroni – 5: Limited impact both in attack and defense, failed to contain attackers. 14. Rodrigo Isgro – 5: Offered little against a structured Springbok defense. 15. Santiago Carreras – 6: Improved after weak start but still faced defensive challenges. REPLACEMENTS 16. Ignacio Ruiz – 5: Failed to stabilize at set-piece despite substitution efforts. 17. Ignacio Calles – 7: Impressive carrying but limited effect in set pieces. 18. Pedro Delgado – 5: Made minimal impact. 19. Franco Molina – 6: Contributed energy off the bench but could not change the game’s direction. 20. Pablo Matera – 3: Received a red card for excessive physicality. 21. Lautaro Bazan Velez – NA: Did not have sufficient time to evaluate. 22. Lucio Cinti – 5: Attempted to penetrate the defense but faced a lack of space. 23. Juan Cruz Mallia – 6: Brought energy late in the game but was limited in space.
The article discusses Argentina’s recent performance in the Rugby Championship against South Africa, focusing on individual player ratings. This match was critical as it served as the decider for the tournament, placing additional pressure on the Los Pumas. Their struggle against the more physically dominant Springboks is underlined, alongside key player contributions and setbacks that characterized their efforts during the match.
The Argentina team faced significant challenges against South Africa, culminating in a lackluster overall performance that was marked by individual player struggles, particularly in defense and set pieces. While select players like Santiago Grondona shone, many others fell short of expectations, diminishing the team’s competitive edge. This match highlighted areas for potential improvement as Argentina prepares for future challenges in international rugby.
Original Source: www.rugbypass.com
