Nov 16,2024
Ireland got back to winning ways with a hard-fought 22-19 victory over Los Pumas.
They scored all of their points in the opening 32 minutes and had to hold on for dear life at the end. Three or four games in one, was how Andy Farrell described it.
Here's how we rated the players.
15. Hugo Keenan – 7
Took a great catch from a Crowley restart in the first half and was unlucky not to break through midfield on a number of occasions. Nothing spectacular in a strange old game.
14. Mack Hansen – 7
The winger was lively and hungry for involvement all evening; he took a perfect line to finish off Ireland's second try. Contested for the high ball well and was disciplined in the air. Almost got away a couple of times.
13. Garry Ringrose – 7.5
Came up with a couple of turnovers when Ireland were under pressure and his overall defence was excellent. Made a superb break from the line put Argentina on the back foot before Jack Crowley’s opening try.
12. Robbie Henshaw – 7
Carried hard in the first half and was a handful for the Argentina defence. Gave away an early penalty for Argentina’s first score. Was central to Joe McCarthy’s try popping inside for James Lowe to make ground.
11. James Lowe – 6.5
Saw an awful lot of ball and was heavily involved in defence as well. Made a great play to turn over possession from a restart. Gave away a silly penalty on a kick-chase and wasn’t as accurate with the boot as usual. Almost made the line just before the third try.
10. Jack Crowley – 7.5
If the game had finished at half-time, the Munster out-half would be looking at an 8.5 but he mixed some super play with some disappointing involvements. Took his try brilliantly soon after taking a high shot, while his dropgoal was superbly executed. Kicked out on the full in the second half and gave away a penalty for a tackle in the air.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park –7
Was penalised for not heeding the referee’s warning at a ruck. Gave away possession with a poorly executed chip when Argentina were on the front foot. Another superb assist with second last pass for Hansen’s score.
1. Andrew Porter – 7
Was penalised at the scrum in the second half but overall had a solid outing, tackling and carrying hard.
2. Rónan Kelleher – 7
Was close to opening the scoring just before the first try. Gave away a penalty for obstruction which resulted in the Pumas’ third penalty. Lost just one of his throw-ins at the lineout.
3. Finlay Bealham – 6.5
Escaped with just a yellow for a croc roll on his opposite number and is giving away too many penalties. Scrummaging was solid.
4. Joe McCarthy – 8
Named player of the match, McCarthy was in the right place to grab Ireland’s third try from close range. Was sin-binned in the second half but that was for an accumulation of Irish infringements. Busy on both sides of the ball.
5. James Ryan – 7.5
Another solid shift for the second game in a row, might not have had the big moments but was excellent in the lineout and a little unlucky to concede a penalty.
6. Tadhg Beirne – 6.5
Was denied a try in the first half when he knocked on in the act of touching down, gave away a penalty for jumping across the lineout. Didn’t get the big plays he usually does in open play but it was that sort of game.
7. Josh van der Flier – 7.5
Flew around the place and was game to carry but couldn’t make much ground against a tough defence. His early block down could have led to a try and came up with a brilliant turnover when the Pumas was close to the line at the end of the first half.
8. Caelan Doris – 6.5
Gave away too many penalties and, again, tried to talk the referee around a couple of times when the argument wasn’t there. Still had the energy for a late carry but will know there is more in him.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Rob Herring (for Kelleher 63) – 6
Little time to make an impact but found his man from touch when Ireland were under pressure.
17. Cian Healy (for Porter 67) – 6
Big night for the veteran prop who equalled Brian O’Driscoll’s caps record of 133.
18. Thomas Clarkson (for Van der Flier 24-28, for Bealham 53) – 7
Will be delighted with his winning debut, coming on for a short cameo when Bealham got binned. Got credit for a scrum penalty in second half.
20. Peter O’Mahony (for Baird 65) – 6
Arrived to a big cheer and got stuck in, claimed a lineout.
22. Sam Prendergast (for Crowley 62) – 6.5
Looked comfortable on the big stage, kicked well, took a big hit when making a tackle, ran into trouble and lost possession when Ireland were closing to a score to seal the game at the end.
23. Jamie Osborne (for Henshaw 62) – 6.5
Carried well on a couple of occasions but got isolated for a jackal penalty near the end.
Not on long enough to rate
19. Ryan Baird (for Ryan 62)
Went off for a head injury assessment three minutes after coming on.
21. Craig Casey (for Gibson-Park 74)
