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Scotland player ratings vs Argentina | 1st Test July 2022
By Gavin Harper
Scotland’s recent good run of form against Argentina came to a shuddering halt in Jujuy as the Pumas squeezed the tourists out of the first Test.
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The first half resembled attack vs defence with Scotland unable to get their hands on the ball, and although they hit back after the break, the tourists fell away late on.
There will be concerns for Gregor Townsend over the set-piece, which faltered badly, and there are again more questions than answers as to how Scotland build depth in key areas.
Here’s how the Scotland players rated on a difficult afternoon.
15. Rory Hutchinson – 5
Dealt with a high ball well to settle any nerves on his international return and first start at fullback. A lovely touch to give Kinghorn room as Bennett scored, before taking his third Test try well.
14. Darcy Graham – 5
No real opportunities with ball in hand but industrious kick chasing important to Scotland. Handed Argentina a counter attacking chance with a loose kick just before half-time. Also conceded a sloppy penalty early on.
13. Mark Bennett – 5
A really quiet first half in which a big hit was the most noteworthy contribution. However after the interval, the Edinburgh man got his hands on the ball and scored on his first Test start since 2016. Strong in contact when he got a chance to have a go.
12. Sam Johnson – 6
A couple of hefty carries into traffic to get Scotland front foot ball with their very limited attacking chances.
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11. Duhan van der Merwe – 6
Unable to get into the game in an attacking sense but made two vital tackles. Almost scored after a stray lineout.
10. Blair Kinghorn – 4
A real mixed bag with some good touches for Scotland’s tries but overplays too often at Test level. Still early days in his transition to fly-half at the top level, but Scotland missed Finn Russell and even the control of Adam Hastings.
Argentina are absolutely playing Scotland off the pitch, 18-6 ? pic.twitter.com/peLW9pw1C8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 2, 2022
9. Ali Price – 5
A chance to step up with Scotland missing Russell and Hogg, but made some strange decisions considering visitors’ limited chances to attack. Kicked away turnover ball and tapped a kickable penalty.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 6
Early difficulties at the scrum, but showed his huge engine with a great kick chase and tackle that earned Scotland three points.
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2. George Turner – 5
Some really costly errors at the lineout, including one right at the start of the second half. One big carry through the midfield his only other notable act in the opening 40.
3. Zander Fagerson – 5
Dominated at the scrum barring one early decision. Piled into a ruck that was lost and left Scotland numbers down from which de la Fuente scored.
4. Grant Gilchrist – 5
The captain was predictably strong in the tight and works tirelessly but will be disappointed with a couple of wayward lineouts.
5. Jonny Gray – 4
Made a good carry that sucked in home defenders before Hutchinson scored, but otherwise kept really quiet.
6. Magnus Bradbury – 6
A couple of big tackles on Matera as Argentina threatened the Scottish line early on.
7. Luke Crosbie – 5
Captained Scotland ‘A’ last weekend and given a go with Watson injured and Darge only just returning from injury. Prominent with ball in hand early but picked off by Mallia for Carreras’ try.
8. Matt Fagerson – 6
Worked hard, won a couple of jackal penalties, but Scotland’s breakaway trio couldn’t get on top of the Pumas loose forwards.
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman – 4
Needs to do more if he’s to usurp Turner and get ahead of Brown and McInally in pecking order.
17. Rory Sutherland – 3
Back after missing the tail end of the Six Nations, but struggled at the scrum and no impact with ball in hand.
18. Javan Sebastian – 3
The Scarlets man wasn’t able to have the same impact as he did against Chile a week ago. Only notable contribution was to pile into a maul at the side.
19. Sam Skinner – 4
Replaced Gray inside the final 15 minutes, but the game had gone by then.
20. Rory Darge – 5
Just back from injury, the Glasgow man didn’t have the same impact as during the Six Nations but battled hard.
21. Ben White – 4
Sharp at the breakdown, but another who conceded a soft penalty.
22. Ross Thompson – N/A
Unused
23. Sione Tuipulotu – N/A
On for Johnson inside the final 10 minutes. No time to make an impact as the game petered out.
