Player ratings: Puma puff runs out
Argentina conceded an early 10-point lead to suffer a 22-39 defeat against France in Lille on Saturday.
The Pumas gave as good as they got, but a 21-point blitz by France in the first half set them on course for the victory.
France scored 21 points a 15-minutes period in the first half to go from 3-13 down to 24-13.
Argentina failed to last the pace against a French team that kept running at them for the full 80 minutes.
Jan de Koning rates the Argentinean players!
15 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino:
Great step and go to create the momentum that resulted in the opening try and produced a few other telling runs. Argentina's most productive back, despite a couple of handling errors.
6/10
14 Horacio Agulla:
He needs to improve his workrate – just hanging out on his wing. Pity about the poor tackling technique that saw him being knocked out cold in the second half and leaving on a stretcher.
4/10
13 Gonzalo Tiesi:
Slipped a crucial tackle, but worked hard to inject himself in the game – with limited success.
5/10
12 Marcelo Bosch:
Good support run for opening try, but then faded into obscurity.
5/10
11 Juan Imhoff:
Probably had one of his quietest games of the year.
4/10
10 Nicolas Sanchez:
His kicking out of hand was poor, mostly aimless and just handed the ball back to France. Slotted a late second-half drop-goal to keep the Pumas in touch, but not a good day at the office.
4/10
9 Martin Landajo:
Did the basics well, but need to add a bit more variation to his game.
5/10
8 Leonardo Senatore:
Got off to a flying start, but once the early adrenaline ran out he faded and it came as no surprise when he was subbed in the 50th minute. He also missed far too many tackles.
4/10
7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon:
He worked really hard on defence, but unfortunately slipped a couple of crucial tackles. Overall it was a sound performance and one of the better players in the Puma pack.
6/10
6 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (captain):
Great areal skills and as usual was the Pumas' standout forward, as he worked hard on defence to produce his team's highest tackle count by some distance.
7/10
5 Julio Farias Cabello:
Showed great hands – twice picking the ball up on his toes to keep the momentum going. However, his great work in open play was spoilt by a couple of slipped tackles.
5/10
4 Manuel Carizza:
A fine allround performance – some good tackle, taking his line-out balls and even producing a few strong carries. Along with Lobbe the Pumas' best player.
7/10
3 Juan Figallo:
Won a crucial turnover penalty midway through the first half when the French were just five metres out from the Puma line. Also made some big hits on defence.
6/10
2 Eusebio Guinazu:
Still conceding too many penalties, which nullifies all the good work he does around the park.
4/10
1 Marcos Ayerza:
Just about the only time you saw him was when he was setting up for scrum – largely anonymous.
4/10
Replacements:
16 Agustin Creevy (on for Guinazu, 47th min):
His skills levels are far better than Guinazu and made a strong statement about getting a chance to start. Pity about that slipped tackle late in the game.
6/10
17 Nahuel Lobo (on for Ayerza, 72nd min):
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Francisco Gomez Kodela (on for Figallo, 60th min):
Made absolutely no impact on the game.
4/10
19 Tomas Vallejos (on for Cabello, 60th min):
Failed to impose himself and even missed a tackle.
4/10
20 Tomas de la Vega (on for Senatore, 50th min):
Was impressive on defence and made a few crucial cover tackles.
6/10
21 Tomas Cubelli (on for Landajo, 62nd min):
Impressed with ball in hand and also didn't slip any of his tackles.
6/10
22 Gonzalo Camacho (on for Tiesi, 47th min):
Was no better than Tiese and might as well have stayed on the bench.
5/10
23 Joaquin Tuculet (on for Agulla, 73rd min):
Not enough time to be rated.
