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Los Pumas player ratings vs Uruguay | July internationals
Despite the comfortable 52-17 scoreline, it was far from comfortable for almost one hour as Los Pumas played neighbours Uruguay in Salta.
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Four tries went begging in the opening half, which would have given them a stronger foothold on the scoreboard as the teams went to the break with Argentina leading 12-7.
The second half saw Julián Montoya’s team take over with a clear physical difference, a more direct attacking approach, and changing their mentality when they were down one player for 20 minutes due to a red card.
Here’s how they rated.
1. Mayco Vivas – 5
Fifty minutes and no real major interventions for the prop, other than giving away a penalty and a scrum that was stable during his time on the field.
2. Julián Montoya – 6
Argentina has had the luxury of incredible hookers in the last three decades – think of Federico Méndez, Mario Ledesma and Agustín Creevy. Montoya is up there competing with the best, and his 68 minutes were his usual efficiency – quiet but sharp except for a couple of lineouts that went askew. Scored his 14th try in 108 Tests.
3. Francisco Gómez Kodela – 5
His swansong saw him playing 45 minutes. He did not impose his side of the scrum and was quiet in defence. After 43 Tests, and at 40, the moment he was subbed went almost unnoticed. Should have been given a bigger farewell.
4. Guido Petti – 6.5
If someone deserves his holiday break, which started after the final whistle, it is Guido Petti, who had the longest of seasons, playing in the European Cup final and played France’s Top 14 final. If he was tired, it didn’t show. Always busy, always efficient.
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5. Pedro Rubiolo – 5.5
The always busy lock was yellow carded on the 51st minute, and his shoulder knock on Uruguay’s menace at the breakdown, Manuel Ardao, would later be elevated to red. Harsh decision. His absence will be felt when The Rugby Championship opens.
6. Pablo Matera – 7
Very active in his best Test of the July window. Never lost possession with the ball in hand, often gaining metres that gave his team momentum. A busy performance.
7. Benjamín Grondona – 7.5
Certainly a player of the future. He was a lineout option, could turnover ball in the thickest of situations, tackled hard and was a terrier. A knock-on cost him his first Test try in his first start. He picked an ankle injury that 20 minutes led to his replacement. He was hurt, but it didn’t show as he went through business as if fully fit.
8. Joaquín Moro – 6.5
A handful of mistakes for the future Leicester Tigers number eight, whose game will certainly be sharpened in the future. A lineout option and also important in the breakdown. At 24, he has a bright future. Did some good work, like turning over a key ball deep in defence in the first half.
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9. Simón Benítez Cruz – 6
The sparkles he brought in the series against England from the bench and starting the second Test weren’t there against Uruguay. The sticky Uruguayans made his and his team’s life harder in his hour on the field.
10. Nicolás Roger – 7
Showed composure in his first Test start. Touches of magic for the classy first five that crowned a good performance with a try. Converted four of the seven tries (there was also a penalty try), including a gem from the right touchline.
11. Santiago Pernas – 4
Tough debut. His first touch in Test rugby could have been a maiden try, but he couldn’t secure the pass with an open line. His second touch could have been his maiden try, but again, couldn’t hold on to the ball after a deft chip kick from Moroni.
A high tackle was his third intervention. His fourth, at least, was a good run, winning some 15 metres. Replaced at halftime by retiring Santiago Cordero, he knew straight away, as his face showed when sitting on the bench.
12. Justo Piccardo – 6.5
Deft touches and a 57th-minute try in an otherwise quiet game for the Puma player of the July window. 111 kilograms in a 1.83 metre frame, Piccardo will certainly see a lot of action come The Rugby Championship. Rested on the hour mark.
13. Matías Moroni – 8
A great individual try at the end of the first half, breaking two tackles. His defence once again stood out and broke for his mate Cordero’s last Test try. When a few thought he was past his sell-by date, he continues to show his value. With 92 caps, the question is: will he reach 100? Passed his HIA test.
14. Rodrigo Isgró – 6
As in 7s, won a kick-off and appeared in different areas of the field. Celebrated a try that was called back to sinbin lock Rubiolo, but got his five-pointer eventually. High work rate.
15. Benjamín Elizalde – 7
Playing at home, broke clear with his first touch of the ball and could have scored yet chose to pass and the ball went loose. With his second touch, he offloaded to flyhalf Lucas Roger for what wasn’t a try after the TMO intervention for a prior infringement.
Great 50/22 in a second half for the 21-year-old who had another good game in front of family and friends. Should have been awarded his first try, but a quick linesman saw him stepping on the line before.
Reserves
16. Bautista Bernasconi – 6
Good lineout throwing and won his own scrums.
17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
His 35-minute return to international rugby came after over 700 days out of the team. Having only played in eight club games since injuring himself in the final preparation game for RWC 2023, the 35-year-old only handled the ball once, but his side of the scrum kept tight.
18. Francisco Coria Marchetti – 6
Thirty minutes for the prop’s third Test coincided with the best half hour of Argentina in the game. A couple of good moments with the ball in hand and a solid scrum.
19. Lucas Paulos – 5.5
25 minutes for the big lock. Some of his minutes on the field were with a pack short of a player and it didn’t show.
20. Nicolás D’Amorim – N/A
Only six minutes for his first cap, the plan to see his great Super Rugby Americas’ form was cut short because of the 20-minute red card to Rubiolo. Fit straight in.
21. Agustín Moyano – 6.5
Scored his maiden try being nippy around the fringes. Quick and efficient passing for a player that is always looking to do something unexpected.
22. Faustino Sánchez Valarolo – 6.5
Thirty minutes for his first cap, twice crashed the ball in the buildup to replacement scrumhalf Moyano’s try. Did all that was required of him, getting involved straight away.
23. Santiago Cordero – 7
Having announced he would retire after this game, he had 40 minutes of good rugby – a long kick, his 18th Test try, the break and pass for Isgro’s try, handing Nicolás Roger his first Test try, and an active innings for his international farewell.
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