Los Pumas 7s Cape Town ratings: Moneta kept quiet, Osacdzuk impresses

Untimely mistakes creeping in at crucial times during the shortened Cape Town 7s saw Santiago Gómez Cora well beaten by the Springboks at the end of Day One.

The team recovered to celebrate with wins against the hard Kenyans and eventually against an All Black 7s that is in a maturing phase to finish fifth, a position they also occupy in the standings.

The team was hit early when captain Santiago Mare was carried off the field after 57 seconds; he was well replaced by previous captain Santiago Álvarez.

The high ambitions of Argentina will not be derailed despite not reaching a final in the opening two tournaments – a year ago, they had played two finals and celebrated the title at the DHL Stadium with a huge splash in the swimming pool.

Despite mistakes, every player continued to raise individual and team standards, and the future continues to look positive.

#1 Matteo Graziano – 6 

After missing the opening round of the HSBC SVNS stricken with illness in the buildup to the Dubai 7s, whenever he took the field in Cape Town, he worked diligently. Used as a super-sub, he created the first try against South Africa and his try against New Zealand epitomizes what he can do.

With the right touchline crouching him, his footwork allowed him to get rid of the defender and score the try that eventually won his side the fifth-place play-off.

#2 Santiago Vera Feld – 6.5

Used mostly from the bench, his good distribution brought the side two tries from sweat passes of his against Ireland.

Against Kenya on Sunday, he started his routine with a great tackle pushing an opponent 10 metres backwards, showing that size is not crucial if the desire is there.

#3 Germán Schulz – 5.5

Hot and cold for the veteran of 72 tournaments. On the opening day, he showed how hungry he continues to be against Ireland. With the game all but won, he ran back, stopped a certain tackle within inches, got to his feet and straight away recovered the ball.

He was cold against South Africa as two seemingly unforced, out of character, knock-ons, cost him dearly. One of them became one of the home side’s five tries.

He was industrious in the second day when Kenya and New Zealand were beaten.

#5 Agustín Fraga – 6 

Caught napping in Ireland’s only try in the opening game, there was instant pay-back as he scored Argentina’s fourth try before being sent to the HIA which he passed.

Running straight lines is a trait of his and he created the first try against Kenya but doing this. He would later score the third try with strength, keeping inside the field despite being tackled against the touchline.

Strong and decisive always.

#6 Santiago Álvarez – 7 

Never flashy, always efficient, Álvarez was back in well-known waters when forced to take the captaincy after ‘Toto’ Mare was replaced within a minute of the opening game with a head knock.

He grew in confidence and his few mistakes were well overshadowed by some very positive aspects, such as the pass that cut three defenders for a try against Kenya, after an offload had generated the opening try against the Africans.

#7 Tobías Wade – 6

Wade is one of many players in the Argentine team that seldom put a foot wrong and play for the benefit of the team.

He seldom shines – against the Blitzbokke, when his side were being blitzed, he recovered very well to stop and attack. A great run against New Zealand had the photographers snapping hundreds of photos head on.

He is always ready to get on the field and offer consistency. A team player.

#9 Matías Osacdzuk – 8 

Exudes confidence in everything he does. Leads, throws long passes to both sides, flicks, offloads, a solid defender…the complete sevens player

“Power of strength” over the last two seasons, his consistency made him the best Argentine over two weekends.

#11 Luciano González – 6 

Mixed tournament for the Puma 7s human cannonball.

Strong as ever, when he touches the ball, González instantly generates space as a minimum of two defenders are always needed to stop him.

He won’t remember the game against South Africa fondly. A strong tackle which will end up in one of those YouTube reels of massive tackles, earnt him a yellow card. He then dropped a ball in an unforced error when the team were on the rise.

There were two more dropped balls against Kenya and a fourth against the All Blacks 7s when he missed a one-on-one tackle. If anyone will bounce back is him, as he is one of Argentina’s best.

#13 Marcos Moneta – 6 

A quiet tournament in Cape Town, after being the best in Dubai. Yet, his sole presence raises the hair in the neck every time he touches the ball as he is expected to create something.

His only try of the weekend was in the opening game against Kenya showing his ability outrunning his defender on the outside.

#14 Joaquín Pellandini – 7

Consistent throughout, he is a quick thinker and a much quicker passer.

Can kick and receive kick-offs, turnover ball, score tries – two in the weekend – as well as kick conversions.

He led the try-scoring spree against New Zealand in the fifth place play-off by attacking the blindside from a scrum and quickly tapped a penalty for his team’s second five-pointer.

#21 Facundo Pueyrredón – 6.5

Another learning opportunity for Pueyrredón in only his third HSBC SVNS tournament. With the team needing to urgently find a replacement for retired legend Gastón Revol, the team seems to have found the ideal second scrumhalf.

His turnover led to Argentina’s fourth try against Ireland and showed his defensive hunger at one stage tackling twice within two metres.

There are still some rough edges to his game, as the wild pass the gave South Africa’s final try, but Goméz Cora’s confidence meant he started against Kenya, scoring a try by throwing a dummy and attacking the blind from a 35-metre scrum.

Three minutes against New Zealand confirmed he is slowly gaining confidence.

#23 Santino Zangara – 6 

Only five minutes on the field in his second tournament, yet it is what he is learning day-by-day on tour that will be part of his growing experience.

His first moment in the tournament was a huge lesson, getting involved in a lost maul from which Kenya scored 80 metres away.

Hard to give him a mark with only five minutes. But overall, confirmed that he was a good choice to take on his first tour.

#10 Santiago Mare (c)

Having scored the first try of the tournament after 57 seconds of pure control, an awful and unfortunate head knock out finished his tournament after only two minutes and 7 seconds.

#4 Gregorio Pérez Pardo – unused.