Ireland 28 Argentina 19: Ireland player ratings

Rob Kearney

Aggressive carries, still no offloads, but Joe Schmidt looks certain to bet on the veteran fullback all the way to Japan in 2019. Crucial turnover deep in Irish 22 and 47th minute catch over his head are two of many reasons why this will be so. Rating: 8

Adam Byrne

Denied a ninth minute try on debut when Murray's cross-field punt bounced out of reach. Promising enough start in green, if not enough to be retained, and interestingly moved to centre when Farrell was forced off. Rating: 6

Ireland take foot off the gas against Argentina

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Scotland cut loose to punish 14-man Australia

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All Blacks snuff out Welsh resistance in Cardiff

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South Africa avenge last year’s defeat to Italy

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Chris Farrell

Took an hour of wincing collisions before he got hurt. Lovely hands put Sexton into space for Stockdale's first try and later set Kearney free, to all of a sudden look like a genuine contender come Six Nations. Rating: 8

Bundee Aki

Route one option from this barrelling Connacht centre surely has him nailed to retain number 12 come Paris in February even if two sloppy passes made Farrell look bad. Rating: 6

Jacob Stockdale

Mr Number 11 for the foreseeable future, his leg pumping tackle on Emilian Boffelli was topped by tries number three and four in just his fourth cap. Sublime timing onto Sexton's pass and pace to round last man produced a world class score. Rating: 8

Johnny Sexton

Majestic pass selection has Irish backline purring like never before. Pumas did what Springboks failed to do with an early (late) hit by Tomás Lavanini. Claimed a turnover by ripping possession off Tomás Lezana, missed a tackle on González and kicked almost every point on offer. Rating: 8

Conor Murray

Off the opposition set piece he sprints into Sexton channel to welcome the ball carrier. This has been evident throughout November, along his controlled box kicking but the usual attacking threat has dipped a little. Rating: 7

Cian Healy

Not six months ago the impact role seemed his lot, but after shedding a few kilos and back to his fighting weight when a 21-year-old phenom he can lay claim to the starting loose head slot once again. Rating: 7

Rory Best

Constant front line defending with O'Mahony the only teammate surpassing the captain for belligerence over opposition ball. Kept calm communication lines open with French referee Mathieu Raynal when tensions simmered over after some argie bargie. Rating: 7

Tadhg Furlong

Scrum penalty on 12 minutes began a day of set-piece domination. Marked man since Lions tour but the trademark gainline breaches continue. Monstrous hit on 54 minutes went to the TMO for foul play but all that did was showcase the perfection of his tackle. Rating: 8

James Ryan

Disappointing withdrawal on 48 minutes, to breathe life into Dev Toner's test match career, but remains the long term answer so long as the body keeps up its end of the bargain. Rating: 6

Iain Henderson

Didn't run over any Pumas, like he did Springboks, but showed other facets of his second row development. Clean rip on 24 minutes led to important turnover. Established starter now. Rating: 7

Peter O’Mahony

Will be in agony. Puts his body where others do not dare. See 50 minute turnover, holding the ball despite a double smash from Argentinean shoulders. Made lots of new friends. Try saving tackle on Lezana, off a reversing scrum, on 69 minutes. Rating: 8

Seán O’Brien

Hollywood offload on 28 minutes was too low for Best but he contributed to the high turnover count. Marcos Kremer and Pablo Matera got a close up view at the European benchmark for opensides. Rating: 7

CJ Stander

Upped his ball carrying, catching a bloody nose for his endeavour, but kept motoring for a cracking try on 62 minutes which sparked the first brawl in an Ireland game since the days when the hatred between these rivals was pure. Rating: 8

Bench

Dominant scrum went backwards when the Munster props arrived which ruined the 15-point handicap bet. Dave Kilcoyne atoned with ball in hand but this sort of bench contribution will not suffice. Rating: 5

Coach

November could not have gone any better. So much control now of these attentive players. Shape of attack has taken a quantum leap while exposing Bundee Aki, James Ryan, Andrew Porter, Jacob Stockdale, Chris Farrell and Adam Byrne to the big show, in an influx of genuine quality, is an enormous boost to a squad two years out from a World Cup. The Jack McGrath and Sean Cronin exclusions do not make sense but maybe they will in time. Rating: 8