Player ratings: how Ireland players performed in hard-fought win over Argentina
Brendan Jack Men: Pic: Der Flier Moran/sportsfile Josh Crowley And Star Celebrate Van
There was a lot riding on the Leinster man holding the fort at the rear, always on hand with one re-start claim a highlight although a high-ball fumble triggered the wonderful side-stepping try from Juan Cruz Mallia.
Hansen spoke for many when saying that last week’s Ireland iteration was ‘not us’. Hansen was true to his word, upping his work-rate and being well-placed to take an inside pass from Tadhg Beirne for a try although not error-free.
There was a huge sigh of relief from Ringrose after a fluffed pass led to a (chalked-off) Pumas try. He made swift amends with an opportunist up-field break that made inroads and led to the opening try. Marshalled defence well.
The only change in the starting line-up, Henshaw was there to provide Bundee-like ballast but with greater dash and guile in attack, firing out passes, making yardage and teeing up plenty.
There is so much more to Lowe than scooting down the wing and he demonstrated as such with his all-round commitment to the cause, his early choke-tackle hold-up in a maul leading to a turnover. Lowe was everywhere although made a couple of rash decisions.
The Munster fly-half was well aware that he needed to produce a more consummate, considered performance in the no.10 jersey to keep debutant replacement, Sam Prendergast at bay, and, boy, was he involved in everything. Try, drop-goal, prominent. Better, much better.
There was far more zip and accuracy at the breakdown enabling Gibson-Park to fire the ball away and create difficulties for the Pumas defence. Shrewd, too, with the long floated pass that brought further openings.
Packing down against a Pumas scrummage is always a stern test and Porter more than held his own in a decent showing by the Irish eight who helped provide a platform.
There was a lot of onus on Kelleher to help repair the malfunctioning Ireland line-out but once again there were signs of inaccuracy. The hooker showed value with robust ball-carrying round the field.
There was a reckless croc roll by Bealham that saw him yellow carded in the 17th minute, an act of ill-discipline that Andy Farrell was at pains to rectify after the 13 penalty horror show against New Zealand. Discipline was again a significant issue for the whole team.
The pack knew that it has been muted and off-key and McCarthy was revved up to produce, scoring a try but then letting his guard slip when sent to the sin-bin for persistent offences, a symptom of Ireland’s frailties.
There was one uncharacteristic fumble in his own half that put his team under pressure but Ryan was steadier when it came to his core duties in the scrum and lineout.
There was a lot to admire in Beirne’s play who was hard-nosed but also effective out wide on the flank almost touching down himself in the first-half and providing the sharp inside pass for Hansen’s try.
Ireland were untypically passive at the breakdown against the All Blacks and van der Flier was hell bent on righting that wrong, helping generate slick ruck speed and also securing turnovers.
Set the tone with his down-to-earth yet positive attitude although he will be unhappy with his own discipline when conceding a couple of penalties in a row just before half-time.
Ireland’s 16th man, the Lansdowne Rd crowd, played much more of a part this week, roaring its approval as the team showed far more spunk and go-forward.
That support made a difference for Ireland, particularly in defence. There were cheers for the two debutants, highly-regarded fly-half Sam Prendergast and tighthead Thomas Clarkson.
Prendergast looked to the manor born, Clarkson too. Jamie Osborne also showed well while Cian Healy was toasted as he equalled Brian O’Driscoll’s 133 cap record.
The subs helped Ireland hang on – just.