All Blacks make a statement with big win over Los Pumas
With two months to go until the opening match of this year’s Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks have sent a message to their international rivals by beating Argentina 41-12 in Mendoza.
Having flown into South America on Sunday, the All Blacks held three confidence-building training sessions at Marista Rugby Club in the south of the city during the week.
But it was all leading to this. As days turned into nights, and after the annoyance of jet lag had worn off, the All Blacks were raring to go by the time their first Test of 2023 got underway.
Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, on a perfect day too, the All Blacks laid down their challenge with a rousing rendition of Kapo o Pango before the opening whistle.
But the vibrant crowd wasn’t going to be kept quiet. These fans sent their own challenge to the visiting side as an almost deafening cheer echoed throughout the stadium before kick-off.
With a blow of the whistle from referee Angus Gardner, the Test was underway. Finally, after months of waiting, international rugby was back for these two proud sporting nations.
Pumas flyhalf Santiago Carreras kicked off proceedings, much to the delight of the home crowd – but even they were left stunned following an early moment of madness.
All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie attempted to clear the ball on his own line, but the clearance was met by a wave of Pumas defenders – led by inspirational flanker Pablo Matera.
W to open the season 🖤#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/iT0zB7axFj
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 8, 2023
Matera managed to catch the All Blacks on the back foot with a charge down, and came within mere millimetres of opening the scoring after lunging out for the ball in desperation.
All this happened within the first 27 seconds of the Test.
But after going upstairs, referee Gardner and the TMO agreed that no try had been scored. The All Blacks would’ve breathed a collective sigh of relief as they lined up for an early goal-line dropout.
It took the All Blacks more than four minutes to touch the ball inside Los Pumas’ half, but once they did, they weren’t going to be denied.
After a tough start to the match, the All Blacks beast as we know it had woken up.
Following a momentum-shifting line break from outside centre Rieko Ioane, the New Zealanders piled on the phases. In the end, hooker Dane Coles ran in for the first try of Test.
McKenzie, who revealed earlier this week that he had been given the goal-kicking duties, sent his first shot wide right – an attempt that was seemingly a regulation shot. But the score remained at 5-nil, much to the surprise, amusement and enjoyment of the home crowd.
Just three minutes later, following wave after wave of the All Blacks’ relentlessness in attack, powerful loose forward Ardie Savea dove over for the second try of the afternoon. Again, McKenzie couldn’t add the extras.
The All Blacks truly began to take control of this contest later in the half though, with two of the Barrett brothers linking up for a long-range effort.
With Pumas fullback Emiliano Boffelli down on the left side of the field, Beauden and Jordie made the most of their one-man advantage on the right. Beauden made the break from inside his own half, and Jordie reaped the rewards.
All Blacks Rieko Ioane and Aaron Smith added another try each before the end of the first term, with the visitors taking an emphatic 31-nil lead into the half-time break.
Coming into the second half, if you didn’t know the score, you never would’ve believed that Argentina were down by 31.
Walking back up the steps and onto the field in Mendoza, Los Pumas were met with a hopeful cheer by the home crowd.
But the Pumas needed to score first – and so nearly did. No more than three minutes into the half, flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez knocked the ball on in a tackle, only for the hosts to go on and practically score.
When referee Gardner called the play back, the home crowd weren’t amused. They made their confusion and frustration known to all.
But the show must go on. The Argentines continued to throw everything they could at the All Blacks, and were eventually rewarded for their efforts.
Just when the crowd couldn’t get any louder, tighthead prop Lucio Sordoni scored Los Pumas’ first points about 52 minutes into the match. The passionate fans were thrilled.
To paint the picture, it was one of those moments where you can’t help but think, ‘This is more than just a game.’ Even with such a one-sided scoreline, there wasn’t an empty seat in the stands.
The All Blacks hit back shortly after though, and managed to silence the crowd – if only for a moment. McKenzie made a stunning line break, and served a try on a silver platter for fullback Barrett.
Suddenly, the All Blacks were leading 36-5.
After making some changes, including swapping Crusaders star Richie Mo’unga for Beauden Barrett, the All Blacks continued to show their class in the final quarter.
Off the back of some solid defence, the New Zealanders added one more try to their score and it was a special one. Winger Emoni Narawa helped scored a try on debut, which extended the advantage to 36-points.
But, much to the delight of the crowd, veteran Agustin Creevy reached out for a last-minute score. Los Pumas had the last laugh.
The All Blacks sit in second place on The Rugby Championship standings after the opening round, with South Africa also recording a big win over Australia earlier on Saturday.
Argentina 12 (tries: Sordoni)
New Zealand 41 (tries: Coles, Savea, J Barrett, Ioane, Smith, B Barrett, Narawa; conversions: McKenzie 3/7)
Comments on RugbyPass
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
4 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
4 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
4 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments