| No. | Australia | Rating | Argentina | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | James Slipper – Genuinely a joy to watch around the field – rucking, tackling, goose-stepping, even kicking – but doubts still persist over whether his much improved scrummaging is up to the might of the Puma set piece. | 7.5 | Marcos Ayerza – Arguably the world’s best loosehead. Very rarely fails to get on top in the scrum and has a pair of hands softer than a well-conditioned pair of bunny ears.. | 9 |
| 2. | Tatafu Polota-Nau – A bulldozing carrier who adds plenty of grunt in both the loose and the scrum, but his lineout throwing can be wobbly and, after a month on the treatment table, how sharp will he be? | 6.5 | Agustin Creevy – I used to think he was pants, admittedly. But leadership has taken him up another couple of levels and now his effectiveness around the park – particularly on the carry – is matched only by his work-rate. | 7 |
| 3. | Sekope Kepu – He’s been quiet lately and is due a big game, but is a match which sees him packing down opposite Marcos Ayerza the game we’ve been waiting for? Unlikely. | 5.5 | Ramiro Herrara – He may be the rookie of the front row but the new boy has looked very handy so far in his international career. He’s got on top against the Springboks (no mean feat) but he needs to show more in the loose. | 6.5 |
| 4. | Sam Carter – I really like this kid. At first, I was worried he would be bullied by the physicality of test rugby, but he reacted like he plays – no fuss, got his head down and worked hard. The industry of the Wallaby pack. | 6.5 | Mariano Galarza – He’s a big lump and can certainly throw his weight around when he puts his mind to it, but he needs to find some consistency. | 5.5 |
| 5. | Rob Simmons – He obviously sees himself as the ‘enforcer’ and, when he gets it right, offers a real physical presence. But sometimes I question if he has a brain, as he has a habit of conceding ridiculous penalties time after time. | 5 | Matias Alemanno – The youngster is another new addition this year and looks to have taken to Test Rugby in fine fashion. Very mobile for a big man and has an impressive engine on him. | 7 |
| 6. | Scott Fardy – Every team needs a Fardy – hardworking, underappreciated, and a first-class beard. Has the fitness to run his opposite number off the park. | 7.5 | Juan Manuel Lequizamon – The big blindside is certainly a physical presence and is a leader within the pack. Not as mobile as some modern day blindsides, though. | 7 |
| 7. | Michael Hooper – There are occasions when I think we need to check to see if he’s human. Ludicrous work rate, phenomenal over the ball and a dangerous runner – he’s in great nick at the moment and consistently sets the example. | 9 | Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe – What a battle he’ll have with Hooper. He’s less explosive but he’s as wily and cunning as a fox and remains an inspiration to his side. | 8 |
| 8. | Ben McCalman. – A surprising call to replace Scott Higginbotham. McCalman is reliable and a strong defender but are you really going to frighten fringe defences with him at the back of a scrum? | 5.5 | Leanardo Senatore – Just 23 caps since making his debut in 2008. Can be effective but isn’t the most powerful in the tight spaces, and tends to drift in and out of games. | 5 |
| 9. | Nick Phipps – Has a strong relationship with Foley and his service is generally quicker than White’s. Needs to get his decision-making right though and has a tendency to flap under pressure. | 6.5 | Martin Landajo – Quick and intelligent, he has looked lively around the breakdown so far this tournament. Service can creak under pressure though. | 6.5 |
| 10. | Bernard Foley – Sign me up to the Foley fan-club. He’s the perfect balance between a reliable 10 – with a great tactical boot – and an attacking fly-half who can create space and attack the gain. Extra half-mark for being called Bernard, too. | 8.5 | Nicholas Sanchez – He impressed against South Africa and showed that he’s not afraid to take the ball to the line and challenge defences – now he just needs to make sure his support goes with him. | 7.5 |
| 11. | Rob Horne. – Not the most exciting of Test wingers, despite looking like a life-guard, but that pearler of finish against the Springboks will have filled him with confidence. | 6.5 | Manuel Montero – 13 tries in 15 tests shows what a threat this guy is. Powerful, quick and balanced, he’s a quality finisher, although his defence needs some attention. | 7 |
| 12. | Matt Toomua – Still preferred to Kurtley Beale, Toomua needs to attack the line more when stepping in as a receiver to provide a threat. He’s a mean defensive presence though and a sound tactical kicker. | 6.5 | Juan Martin Hernandez – After 5 years, Hernandez has come right back into form. He may not set the world alight with his feet anymore but his intelligence with the boot is up there with the best. | 7 |
| 13. | Tevita Kuridrani – Strong as an ox and no slouch, Kuridrani is a great battering ram in the midfield – but he does have the unfortunate habit of occasionally forgetting to catch the ball. | 6 | Marcelo Bosch – He may get headlines with a couple of monster kicks, but his attacking threat can be negligible with the ball in hand. Often disappears from games. | 5 |
| 14. | Adam Ashley-Cooper – He may not be the quickest, but AAC is still one of the classiest footballers around. He didn’t have his best game last week but you can be sure he will be working hard to make an impression this round. | 7 | Juan Imhoff – Lightening quick and steps like a gazelle. Can be a bit of a fairy in the tackle but, in space, he can be a real handful, as Wales have previously found out. | 7 |
| 15. | Israel Folau – Do not underestimate his importance to the Wallaby backline. Even on a quiet day when nothing is happening, his teammates look to him because he can do things very few others can. | 9 | Joaquin Tuculet – One of the finds of the tournament so far, Tuculet tormented the Springboks with some mazy running and smart finishing. If Australia kick loosely, he’ll be waiting. | 7.5 |
| TOTAL | 103 | 102.5 |
PREDICTION
With scores as tight as my disco-pants (not a pleasant sight) it should come as no surprise that this one has been ear-marked as a potential ‘upset’ and a chance for the Pumas to finally claim that first victory in the tournament. I think they’ll have to wait for the return leg, however – although the Wallabies’ win against the Springboks merely papered over the cracks, the hosts have the quality and determination to put things right in front of the home crowd. Australia by 3.
By Mike Cooper (@RuckedOver)
4 replies on “Rugby Championship 2014: Australia vs Argentina head to head ratings”
Err, AAC isn’t playing, is he? Thought Betham was starting.
Hmm yeah that’s wrong…
If you assume Betham gets a lower rating than AAC, that puts Argentina ahead!
I’ve still picked Aussies by 10 on SuperBru.
Definitely see the aussies cutting loose. To be honest, I think Kuridrani deserved a full point more, He was very impressive V the Springboks and robbed of the motm award. However, Los Pumas have been coming on in leaps and bounds, but I do have the feeling they can start fading sooner rather than later.