Player Ratings: Argentina

OPINION: Argentina finished their World Cup how they started - losing to England, this time by a slender margin of three points.

The Los Pumas put in a better display in their 23-26 defeat than they did against the All Blacks in the semifinal, and a better showing than against a 14-man England in the opening round, but did not have enough to get over the line.

There were some eye-catching performances nevertheless.

Here’s how the players rated:

15. Juan Cruz Mallia – 6

Always had England guessing whenever he had the ball in his hands. Finished his World Cup well.

14. Emiliano Boffelli – 6.5

Kicked his kicks and did everything he was required to do. Strong aerially, but did not exactly set the game alight on the wing.

13. Lucio Cinti – 5

Saw a lot of action in defence, and won a decent penalty at the breakdown, but that was not mirrored by his offensive output. But that was more the flow of the game rather than a fault of his.

12. Jeronimo de la Fuente – 5

Like Cinti, was called upon to make tackles, which he did.

11. Mateo Carreras – 6

Became the Argentinian Jonah Lomu briefly up against Marcus Smith. Was a flash of what we all know he can do (although he is not exactly famed for his power), but was unable to show it consistently across the 80 minutes. Looked his most dangerous in the final minutes of the match.

10. Santiago Carreras – 4.5

Tore England’s defence to shreds early in the second-half for his try only to be charged down just seconds later for an England reply. The epitome of a mixed bag.

9. Tomas Cubelli – 4

A try probably glossed over a slightly error-strewn and ill-disciplined display.

1. Thomas Gallo – 5

Marmalised early on by England scrum, but went on to produce a high-energy display which has been characteristic of his World Cup.

2. Julian Montoya (captain) – 5

The usual from the captain. Threw his body around in defence.

3. Francisco Gómez Kodela – 4.5

Sent marching backwards by England scrum early, but after that was solid in all departments.

4. Guido Petti Pagadizabal – 5

Middle of the road performance. Nothing calamitous but equally nothing to write home about.

5. Pedro Rubiolo – 5.5

Filled the hole left by Tomas Lavanini well. A lot of activity albeit with little return.

6. Juan Martin Gonzalez – 7

Bamboozled by Ben Earl’s opening try of the match but a decent outing otherwise with far more productivity in attack than previous weeks. Showed that he is one of the best defensive lineout operators in the game.

7. Marcos Kremer – 5

Will surely finish the World Cup with the most tackles after yet another machine-like performance in defence. An error-some display elsewhere.

8. Facundo Isa – 5

After a plucky display against the All Blacks last week given the circumstances, he went into his shell this week, although still made plenty of tackles for the 46 minutes he was on the field.

Replacements

16. Agustín Creevy – 5.5

17. Joel Sclavi – 4

18. Eduardo Bello – 3.5

19. Matias Alemanno – 4

20. Rodrigo Bruni – 5

21. Lautaro Bazan Velez – 5

22. Nicolas Sanchez – 5.5

23. Matías Moroni – 4

By Josh Raisey, Rugbypass