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Scotland player ratings vs Argentina | 3rd Test July 2022
By Gavin Harper
Scotland let a 15-point lead and a potential series victory slip away inside the final half hour as
Argentina claimed a dramatic win in Santiago Del Estero.
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Edinburgh wing Emiliano Boffelli scored the winner in injury time to complete a dramatic comeback.
Scotland had taken control despite a slow start, with Rory Darge outstanding once more and with Blair Kinghorn showing some flashes.
Duhan van der Merwe and Ewan Ashman, the latter on his first start for Scotland, crossed for two tries apiece, but Gregor Townsend’s side made too many errors in the final half hour as they handed the initiative to the hosts.
Here’s how Scotland’s players rated.
15. Ollie Smith – 6
The young Glasgow man showed nice touches as he settled into his first cap, but opportunities didn’t really come his way to attack thereafter. Caught guarding the wrong side of the ruck from which Bertranou scored.
What a thrilling end to the game ? Argentina really showed their heart ? pic.twitter.com/VPVetmIWQR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 16, 2022
14. Rufus McLean – 5
Chased kicks all afternoon, but another who didn’t get too many chances with ball in hand.
13. Mark Bennett – 7
It’s been a good tour for Edinburgh’s Olympic silver medallist. Some lovely touches, including a thunderous early carry. Hit a beautiful line to put Scotland on the front foot shortly after Ashman’s second try. Gave away a silly penalty shortly after that led to the try for Tetaz Chaparro and unable to stop Bertranou crossing, but his mates should’ve been more switched on.
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12. Sione Tuipulotu – 6.5
Heavily involved early on with some powerful carries, giving Scotland a focal point, and defensively Scotland’s midfield looked solid.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7.5
Went looking for work more again this week and showed his power to crash through the Pumas and score two more international tries.
. @duhanvdmerwe once again insists on scoring another try ?
That's 12 in 19 Tests by our count ?#ARGvSCO | Credit: @SkySportsRugby pic.twitter.com/vRkJqPxrHk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 16, 2022
10. Blair Kinghorn – 6.5
Of his four Test starts at fly-half, this was by far the most promising. Played a key role in the
opening score as he took the ball to the line before offloading to van der Merwe, and recognised
space for Ashman’s second. But he wasn’t able to close the game out and was shunted to
fullback.
9. Ali Price – 6
Another mixed bag wasn’t what the Lion was after given Ben White’s impressive showing last week. Controlled Scotland’s attack well for the most part, but a loose kick allowed the hosts in for their first try, and his wayward box kick gave them a position from which they completed the comeback.
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1. Rory Sutherland – 5
Came off the bench in the first Test but handed a start. Didn’t get as much ball to carry as he’d like and looks short of the form that saw him a Lion 12 months ago. That said, he didn’t do much wrong.
2. Ewan Ashman – 7.5
His first Scotland start marked with two vital tries, one from a maul and the other a supreme finish out wide. However the lineout wobbled again.
3. Zander Fagerson – 7
Asked to go the distance on his 50th cap. Threw himself into everything, and recovered well from conceding an early scrum penalty. Turned the tide at the set-piece after the Pumas emptied their bench.
4. Scott Cummings – 6.5
Won good lineout ball for Ashman’s first try and a good choke tackle to stop the Pumas’ attack. Carries with power and pace.
5. Jonny Gray – 6.5
Back in after missing last weekend, the Exeter man was looking for work and made a couple of
deft early offloads. Gets through so much unseen work.
6. Rory Darge – 8
Outstanding last weekend and backed it up with another excellent showing. Didn’t deserve to lose. Won a trademark turnover penalty early on. He and Watson look a terrific duo and with Ritchie to return, it’s an area of great depth for Scotland.
7. Hamish Watson – 7.5
The Edinburgh man put in another hugely physical showing. Took the game to his illustrious back-row opponents. Should’ve taken the points when on offer with 10 minutes to go.
8. Matt Fagerson – 8
Marked his 24th birthday with a typically industrious display. Almost always beats the first man with ball in hand and another unlucky to be on the losing side.
Replacements
16. Dave Cherry – 6.5
Some big hits with the home side threatening Scotland’s line late on. However, his introduction for the final half-hour didn’t sort out the lineout wobbles.
17. Pierre Schoeman – 6.5
Scotland’s scrum got on top after his introduction. A couple of no-nonsense carries.
18. Javan Sebastian – N/A
Unused.
19. Glen Young – 7
The 27-year-old wasted no time in getting involved after replacing Cummings to make his debut.
20. Andy Christie -N/A
Replaced the skipper for the closing stages, but no real time to make an impact.
21. George Horne – N/A
Didn’t get on.
22. Ross Thompson – N/A
Replaced Smith for the final six minutes to see the game out.
23. Sam Johnson – N/A
A try scorer last weekend, unused this time.
