Ex-All Black full of praise for Argentina ‘superstar’ who can take them to ‘next step’ at Rugby World Cup
Former All Blacks fly-half Stephen Donald (inset) and Argentina playmaker Tomas Albornoz.
Former All Blacks fly-half Stephen Donald has singled out Argentina playmaker Tomas Albornoz for special praise after Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test in Cordoba.
Although New Zealand sealed an impressive 41-24 bonus-point victory over Los Pumas, the home side had some good moments with Albornoz leading the way with a fine all-round performance.
The Benetton fly-half kept the All Blacks‘ defenders on their toes with a superb attacking display while he also impressed with his kicking at goal and out of hand.
Albornoz gained 74 metres on attack from 14 runs which included one clean break, seven defenders beaten, two offloads and he was rewarded with a well-taken try.
In the end, he finished with a 14-point haul courtesy of his five-pointer, three conversions as well as a penalty and his overall display caught the attention of 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Donald, who reckons Albornoz has the potential to become one of his country’s best ever number 10s.
“I know they’ve had some wonderful 10s in this country. Contepomi, Juan Martin (Hernandez) and the likes. And they always talk about (Hugo) Porta, historically, as the greatest Argentinian 10,” he said on The Aftermatch podcast.
‘We might have seen a superstar for the first time’
“I reckon we might have seen a superstar for the first time in the Los Pumas number 10 jersey.
“He was mightily impressive.”
Donald highlighted the areas of the 27-year-old’s game which made a favourable impression on him.
“First of all, I think it was there for all to see, his kicking game,” he said. “His kicking game was absolutely outstanding. Both long, both to retrieve.
“And then also, as the game wore on, clearly his confidence started to really lift up.
“And we saw a bit of pace from him, didn’t we?”
Donald’s former All Blacks team-mate, back-rower and 2015 Rugby World Cup winner Liam Messam, echoed his sentiments.
‘I just liked his toughness’
“He’s very quick. I just liked his toughness. He was tough,” he said.
“He was countering back and just running straight. Like, no footwork. Like a jet running straight onto the boys.”
Donald continued to wax lyrical about Albornoz’s ability and feels he could make Los Pumas serious contenders at the World Cup in Australia in two years’ time.
“Come that World Cup in ’27, I think he’ll be the starter,” he said.
“He’ll be someone that all of a sudden, has Argentina got the ability to go from (being) very competitive, always going to be there at the knockout stages, but possibly can’t win the thing.
“To maybe having the ability now with someone like that, could they take the next step? Who knows?”
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