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Marcos Kremer is well-known for his defense. His tackling places him among the leading players in the world. It is common for his name to regularly appear in the top-tacklers for Argentina in test matches.
However, Kremer is far more than being a top-tackler. The 26-year-old has an art to his craft that sets him apart from the rest. Rugby World Cup 2023 has showcased Marcos Kremer as the invisible breakdown assassin. His work has been second to none.
Kremer led the way at the breakdown against Wales. Data collected by Jonny McCormick and Jordan Kingston for Opta Analyst shows that Argentina’s ruck speed against Wales made it diccisult for the Dragons to defend. Los Pumas completed 64% of their rucks in 0-3 seconds, this was 10 percentage points better than that of Wales.
The South Americans were led by Kremer. The flanker from Concordia hit 35 attacking rucks during the match. This total has only been reached on two other occasions at Rugby World Cup 2023. They were by Australia’s Isoa Nasilasila against Wales and by England’s Maro Itoje against Japan.
In addition, Kremer cleaned out at tournament high 11 times and secured the ruck 24 times with each of those attacking ruck arrivals. No other player has hit more than 27 attacking rucks in an international match this year while maintaining a 100% effectiveness rate.
Kremer earned his 62nd cap in the Quarter Final win over Wales. He will earn his 63rd in the Semi Final against New Zealand in Paris on Friday, October 20.
