Former All Blacks fly-half Stephen Donald has singled out Argentina playmaker Tomas Albornoz for special praise after Saturday\u2019s Rugby Championship Test in Cordoba.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Benetton fly-half kept the All Blacks<\/a>\u2018 defenders on their toes with a superb attacking display while he also impressed with his kicking at goal and out of hand.<\/p>\n Albornoz<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, who reckons Albornoz has the potential to become one of his country\u2019s best ever number 10s.<\/p>\n \u201cI know they\u2019ve 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,\u201d he said on The Aftermatch podcast.<\/p>\n \u2018We might have seen a superstar for the first time\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cI reckon we might have seen a superstar for the first time in the Los Pumas number 10 jersey.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was mightily impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n Donald highlighted the areas of the 27-year-old\u2019s game which made a favourable impression on him.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all, I think it was there for all to see, his kicking game,\u201d he said. \u201cHis kicking game was absolutely outstanding. Both long, both to retrieve.<\/p>\n Julian Montoya highlights where Argentina \u2018have to improve\u2019 after \u2018shot ourselves in the foot\u2019 mishap versus the All Blacks<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAnd then also, as the game wore on, clearly his confidence started to really lift up.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we saw a bit of pace from him, didn\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Donald\u2019s former All Blacks team-mate, back-rower and 2015 Rugby World Cup winner Liam Messam, echoed his sentiments.<\/p>\n \u2018I just liked his toughness\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s very quick. I just liked his toughness. He was tough,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was countering back and just running straight. Like, no footwork. Like a jet running straight onto the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n Donald continued to wax lyrical about Albornoz\u2019s ability and feels he could make Los Pumas<\/a> serious contenders at the World Cup in Australia in two years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n \u201cCome that World Cup in \u201927, I think he\u2019ll be the starter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll 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\u2019t win the thing.<\/p>\n \u201cTo maybe having the ability now with someone like that, could they take the next step? Who knows?\u201d<\/p>\n