The Wallabies conceded seven tries and four of them came from kicks.
If you’re looking for a reason why the Wallabies lost, that paints a pretty clear picture.
The Wallabies’ raw fullback Tom Wright was exposed. The Brumbies back has been excellent in his previous three Tests of the year, but his lack of time spent in the role was brutally exposed by Argentina, who tested his positional understanding and his aerial skills too.
He wasn’t the only one either. Marika Koroibete was found out in the air, while Reece Hodge was penalized after he made contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to compete for the ball.
The Wallabies’ scrum was edged, too, with the Argentine pack up for the challenge following their heavy defeat a week earlier.
As for James O’Connor, the recalled playmaker faces a fight to keep his place after a frustrating performance.
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Had his try midway through the first half not been disallowed it likely would have been a different story for the 32-year-old. It didn’t, and anyone wearing the No.10 jersey generally shoulders the blame regardless of whether they deserve it.
Here are our player ratings from the record loss to Argentina.
Tom Wright- 3.5
Given the fullback’s struggles under the high ball, Dave Rennie will likely recall Andrew Kellaway should the Rebels back be fit to take on the Springboks later this month.
Wright doesn’t deserve to be dropped. One poor game doesn’t define a player, but the Brumby is a developing 15 and could benefit from more time on the wing. He’ll be a strong contender for the No.23 jersey should Kellaway be fit.
The tough day started in the very first minute, as he fumbled a tough ball from Jordan Petaia and Argentina scored.
Moments later and Argentina won a 50-22 as the home side exposed Wright’s positional understanding.
“Pretty inexcusable from the Wallabies from set phase not to be able to defend a 50-22 in that situation,” former All Blacks playmaker Andrew Mehrtens said for Stan.
On three occasions Wright lost possession in the air. He was out leapt in the eighth minute by Emiliano Boffelli.
He didn’t get a hand on a kick in the 27th minute. He was also beaten in the air again in the 36th minute but fortunately was saved by some Marika Koroibete brilliance in defense as he forced Boffelli to spill the ball over the tryline.
Later, in the 52nd minute, Wright chose to run the ball but should have played the percentages as he was tackled and gave away a penalty for not releasing.
Jordan Petaia – 6
It was a case of being so close yet so far for Petaia.
Petaia sent O’Connor in to score but the try was denied for an illegal cleanout from James Slipper.
Later he lost the ball over the tryline as the ball was ripped away.
But there was also one of those passes into touch in the 51st minute, while he also intercepted a pass in the 56th minute before quickly throwing one of his own as he sought to keep the ball in the field of play.
More promisingly Petaia got his hands on the ball. Yet the fact Australia has not put an attacking kick in for Petaia tells you a lot about the Wallabies’ attack in recent weeks.
Len Ikitau – 7.5
One of the Wallabies’ best. Ikitau scored a try, made a massive linebreak and was strong on either side of the ball.
His linebreak in the 29th minute should have led to some points. Instead, it led to a penalty to the Pumas one phase later as Nic White was pinged for a side entry at the ruck.
Lalakai Foketi – 6
A couple of good touches, including in the 10th minute to slip a great ball to Ikitau.
Foketi did, however, overtrack in defense along with James O’Connor and Lachie Lonergan ahead of the Pumas’ third try.
Marika Koroibete – 6
Defensively Koroibete was excellent.
He had a fantastic trysaver on Boffelli and laid on some big shots, including one ahead of Fraser McReight’s turnover in the 10th minute.
His clearing kick beyond halfway in the 19th minute was a cracker, too.
Unfortunately Koroibete too was beaten in the air and the uncertainty in the air meant Argentina continued to pepper the Wallabies’ back three.
The little knock-on in the 41st minute at the base of the ruck straight after half-time summed up the Wallabies’ frustrating performance.
James O’Connor – 5
The Wallabies playmaker will likely shoulder some of the blame for the defeat, but that would be an unfair marker.
Had O’Connor’s try stood the Wallabies would have been in front and he would have had a great highlights moment. It didn’t and the Wallabies conceded two quick tries.
Defensively O’Connor had a couple of moments that won’t reflect well.
He was run over the top by Tomas Gallo in the sixth minute as Taniela Tupou fell off a tackle, he overtracked ahead of the Pumas’ third try and he spilled a ball in contact for the Pumas’ try after the Wallabies’ back three didn’ Don’t get hands on another kick.
There was however some nice manipulation of the defense in the 72nd minute as she ran to the line and put Ikitau through a little hole. But, as Rennie later lamented, the Wallabies pushed the pass and found the touchline.
Nick White – 5
The Wallabies’ struggles to hold onto the ball meant White had a frustrating Test.
The experienced halfback had little space to test out the Argentine defence.
Frustratingly, too, when the Wallabies had the ball in the opposition half they looked dangerous. They just didn’t keep the ball long enough to mount any real pressure.
He appeared lost with what to do in the 30th minute and had his pass intercepted.
Rob Valetini – 9
The Wallabies’ best player on the field.
Valetini’s ball carrying was a real feature.
I have powered over the gain line ahead of Slipper’s try for the Wallabies.
He was strong in defense too, producing a great counter-ruck in the 18th minute to allow McReight to get on the ball to win a penalty.
Lachie Lonergan’s nice ball sent Valetini through a huge hole in the 45th minute. It should have ended in a try as he unleashed Petaia, who was stripped over the line.
Valetini’s one blemish came in the 61st minute, as he slightly changed his direction after a chip and chase and was penalized.
Fraser McReight – 5.5
Good pressure on the ball, including a great breakdown win in the 10th minute.
Unfortunately for McReight he was sent to the sin bin midway through the second half despite referee Karl Dickson playing advantages ahead of their fifth try.
Jed Holloway – 6
Holloway was effective in the lineout and had a steal, too. He had some good runs to the line as well. But he needs to demand more of the ball.
The Waratahs forward looks set for a long stint in the side and his physical prowess will help with the pack.
Darcy Swain – 5.5
After last weekend’s outstanding Test, Swain wasn’t nearly as effective. why? Quite simply the Wallabies had little set piece ball.
Swain was penalized in the 28th minute after playing on despite a ruck being formed.
Rory Arnold – 6.5
A respectable return for the Japanese-bound lock.
Arnold carried well and even took an intercept in the 29th minute.
But his real strength around the maul wasn’t able to be used because of the Wallabies’ struggles under the high ball.
Taniela Tupou – 5
Punished at the scrum, the Wallabies struggled at the set-piece. They were penalized there on a number of occasions, with Tupou pinged for not driving straight.
Tupou was also penalized for collapsing a maul in the 24th minute.
It wasn’t until the 46th minute that Tupou managed to get well over the gain line.
The massive Wallabies tight-head prop has yet to master a Test that he has started.
Lachlan Lonergan – 6
A reasonable effort, having been asked to start against the Pumas.
The young Brumby’s lineout was largely effective.
But the Wallabies’ scrum was beaten, he over tracked ahead of the Pumas’ second try and missed a tackle from the kick restart in the 55th minute.
James Slipper (c) – 6.5
One of the Wallabies’ better forwards.
Slipper’s opening 20 minutes was outstanding. Unfortunately he was penalized for an illegal cleanout, which was questionable at best.
Slipper carried strongly and showed some good hands, too. He also scored the Wallabies’ first try.
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Billy Pollard – 5.5
Came on midway through the second half and hit the mark with his throws on debut. tick.
Matt Gibbon – N/A
Came on late for Slipper, but helped the Wallabies win a penalty when he went through the middle of a maul in the 71st minute.
Puts Fa’amausili – 6
Some great shots and strong carries after coming on midway through the second half. A promising debut off the bench.
Nick Frost – 5
Wasn’t able to impose himself like he did a week ago.
Pete Samu – 6
Effective on both sides of the ball after replacing Holloway in the second half.
Tate McDermott – 6
McDermott’s 50/22 in the 69th minute was a cracker. Unfortunately Valetini got clipped first phase from the attacking lineout and was brought down before Irae Simone was pinged for side entry at the ruck.
Irae Simone – N/A
Came on late but gave away a penalty for side entry at the ruck.
Reece Hodge – N/A
Another who came on late, Hodge was penalized for making contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to catch a ball at fullback.
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