Take a look at the Ireland player ratings vs Argentina from their second Autumn Nations Series match in Dublin on Friday night.
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Ireland bounced back from their first home defeat in over three years with a hard-fought 22-19 victory against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium, despite playing with 14 men on two separate occasions.
Having opened their autumn campaign with a loss to New Zealand, Ireland made a strong start, scoring two tries in the first five minutes and adding a third before the break. Tomas Albornoz kept Argentina in touch, slotting three penalties to make it 22-9 at half-time.
The Pumas dominated the second half, scoring all 10 points, including a stunning try from Juan Cruz Mallia, but were unable to pull ahead. Prop Cian Healy, who came off the bench, equalled Brian O’Driscoll’s Irish cap record on a night where Irish discipline was tested.
Argentina pressed for a late winner, spending the final minutes deep in the Irish 22, but a crucial knock-on ended their hopes. The Pumas conclude their northern hemisphere tour against France next Friday, while Ireland face Fiji on Saturday in their third autumn international.
Scroll down for Ireland player ratings vs Argentina.
Ireland: 22
- Tries: Jack Crowley (03′), Mack Hansen (05′), Joe McCarthy (31′)
- Cons: Jack Crowley (04′, 32′)
- Pens:
- Drop-goals: Jack Crowley(20′)
Argentina: 19
- Tries: Juan Cruz Mallia (44′)
- Cons: Tomas Albornoz(45′)
- Pens: Tomas Albornoz (11′, 17′, 25′, 50′)
Joe McCarthy, speaking to TNT Sport, who starts off with an ode to the crowd:
“I just wanted to say a big thanks to all the crowd here. There’s been a thing about the Aviva and the atmosphere but you were amazing today.
“We were really sorry that we disappointed you last week. We really wanted to show how much it means to us. We really appreciate your support, it means the world to us. Thank you.”
He also dropped a Father Ted style swear word in there,
Ireland player ratings vs Argentina:
15. Hugo Keenan – 6.5
Keenan had a better showing than last week, with some really good moments in attack. Some great fielding and running in the first half gave Ireland some real go forward ball, but Keenan’s influence slowed in the second half. No frills or thrills from the Leinster man.
14. Mack Hansen – 6
Hansen crossed for Ireland’s second try early on but again found himself on the peripheries. Ireland attacked the edges a lot more, with great success, however a second half of imprecision saw Hansen become a passenger.
13. Garry Ringrose – 7.5
The first half saw Ringrose and his Leinster centre partner, Robbie Henshaw play together really well. Ringrose was his usual reliant self in both attack and defence offering dominant tackles and some great running lines leading to line breaks. Ringrose was one of Ireland’s best performers.
12. Robbie Henshaw – 7
Henshaw found himself back in the Irish team, and seized his opportunity well in the first half hour. Alike Ringrose, his all rounded game saw him as one of Ireland’s standout players while they were energetic in the first half. Overall, as the Irish attack started to falter so did Henshaw and he found himself replaced with 20 to go.
11. James Lowe – 6
Lowe as always was well involved. Ireland tried using him as a first receiver at times, with little reward. His big boot Ireland thrive off was inaccurate today, however he showed some good hands and running lines.
10. Jack Crowley – 7
Crowley was arguably Ireland’s best player overall. In the first half he crossed for a try after a silky sidestep off his right foot and showed great game management to knock a drop goal over. However, as Ireland’s performance faded so did the Munster mans and he had a poor final 15 minutes before being withdrawn with 20 to go.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 6
So much of Ireland’s attack relies on their scrum-half. The attacking structure is based off precision and Gibson Park struggled to find this in his own game today. The Kiwi seemed tired and a bit lethargic overall. More positively, one of his almost trademark sweeping long passes to a touchline, led to Ireland’s second try.
8. Caelan Doris (c) – 6
Doris seemed to constantly be heard today rather than seen. Every break in play you could hear the Irish captain at the referee, and although this is good in a captain, he seemed more focused on this than his own performance. A typical reliant game in defence and attack, but not to his expected standard.
7. Josh van der Flier – 6.5
The Irish flanker was easily one of Ireland’s best forward performers bringing his usual speed, power, and aggression to the game. With Argentina bringing a physically imposing game, Josh van Der Flier met this well.
6. Tadhg Beirne – 6
Alike Doris, Beirne didn’t impose his usual dogged self upon the game. Impressed at some crucial moments, holding the Argentine’s up over his own try line just before half time, and was unlucky not to score a try after a knock on. Beirne will want more from himself next week.
5. James Ryan – 5
Ryan struggled today. With a knock-on from a relatively straightforward pass in the first few minutes he struggled to effect the game from here. Again, the Irish lineout faltered and Ryan found himself on the edges of the game today.
4. Joe McCarthy – 7
Irish media awarded Joe with man of the match, and with good reason. The youngster took his try superbly well, however his discipline let him down and he saw yellow. A really good performance from the Leinster man but his over eagerness will need to be tamed as Ireland saw a penalty count of 13.
3. Finlay Bealham – 5
Bealham found himself the first of four today to be sin binned, the Irish scrum was not dominant, and he struggled to effect open play. Thomas Clarkson replaced him after 10 minutes of the second half, deservedly so.
2. Rónan Kelleher – 5
Kelleher showed some good lines and carries in attack, but once again the Irish line out faltered while the scrum was average. Overall, a poor performance from the Irish hooker who needs to brush up on his set piece plays.
1. Andrew Porter – 6
Porter alike the rest of the front row, had a quiet game. Brought his usual determination to the game but did not star. An average performance from the Irish loose-head.
Replacements:
16. Rob Herring – 6
Herring came on with 15 minutes left to play and did all the basics well.
17. Cian Healy – 6
Didn’t have much to do coming on quite late, however deserves a rating after equalling the all time Irish cap record.
18. Thomas Clarkson – 7
The 24 year old Leinster prop made his Irish debut today bringing a real excitement and energy. Against a powerful Pumas scrum he fronted up well, and showed some really good hits in defence.
19. Ryan Baird – N/A
20. Peter O’Mahony – N/A
21. Craig Casey – N/A
22. Sam Prendergast – 7
After Crowley’s performance started to fade Pendergast entered the fray for his debut. He brought a real confidence, taking the ball to the line with delayed passes and a few show and go’s. Overall, for a young man he showed enthusiasm but also authority while marshalling the Irish attack.
23. Jamie Osborne – 7
Both his Leinster centre teammates played really well today, but Osborne undoubtedly deserves a starting spot next week. He came on and brought spark with some powerful running and multiple line breaks.
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