All Blacks score bonus-point win over Los Pumas to take pole position in Tri-Nations
What a difference two weeks makes.
Under immense pressure after successive defeats, the All Blacks delivered the required response in their final test of the year that ensures they will return home in a much more positive frame of mind. Almost certainly with the Tri Nations title in their luggage, too.
Two tries from electric Crusaders outside back Will Jordan, moments after he came onto the field late in the second half, propelled the All Blacks to a bonus-point victory over the Pumas.
A definitive, statement performance that rectified all the wrongs this was not.
It did, however, prove the All Blacks’ ability to learn and adapt. It also pushes the All Blacks to the top of the Tri Nations ladder, five points ahead of the Pumas and Wallabies, with a dominant advantage on points differential – 92 ahead of Argentina, and 100 ahead of Australia. The Pumas and Wallabies meet in the final clash next week.
Two weeks after losing to the Pumas for the first time the All Blacks were a totally different beast, scoring five tries that allows under-fire head coach Ian Foster to take a big deep breath over the summer to reassess.
Before extracting their revenge the All Blacks presented Argentina with a black jersey featuring the No 10 and Maradona on the back to honour the memory of the legendary footballer who died earlier this week.
It was a gesture that contrasted the fury the All Blacks would then bring to their work.
Nearly everything the All Blacks failed to do two weeks ago they did on this sweltering Newcastle night. That’s not to say it was a perfect performance. The All Blacks bombed several try-scoring chances through inaccuracy and overreliance on the boot. But most areas that were horribly off last time out showed signs of improvement.
The All Blacks’ revamped forward pack, with Akira Ioane, Nepo Laulala and Scott Barrett adding impetus after being promoted to start, brought infinitely more urgency to the breakdown which generated noticeably quicker ruck ball.
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Ioane, in particular, delivered a standout performance in his second start on the blindside. Laulala, likewise, was heavily involved, taking advantage of the Pumas switching both props among 10 starting changes as the All Blacks steamrolled Argentina’s scrum on three occasions – the last leading to Ardie Savea powering over from a lineout.
In their carries and cleans, the All Blacks pack played with the fight of the dog attitude; a chip on their shoulder mentality.
Dane Coles rushing Nicolas Sanchez’s first clearance highlighted the defensive pressure and line speed the All Blacks applied.
With ball in hand, the All Blacks embraced the attacking variety they so lacked last time out, too. They targeted the short side; they were direct from the ruck, they used inside balls and backdoor plays. They offloaded in contact – and they kicked the leather off the ball. Too much so at times.
When through the hands would have done the job they often went for the high-risk kick option to finish attacking movements.
Coles scored the first try in the corner after a cut-out pass from Richie Mo’unga but the All Blacks should have claimed at least two more in the first half. Jordie Barrett was caught too far infield to finish brother Beauden’s cross-field kick, and Caleb Clarke, who otherwise offered major impact throughout, was then pushed out on the other side of the field.
Despite the vastly improved All Blacks attack controlling much of the ball and territory, the Pumas defensive wall remained staunch for long periods. Their scrambling defence prevented many try-scoring chances, stopping Sam Cane, Savea, among others, inches short with desperate efforts on their own line.
While the All Blacks’ finishing execution was off at times unlike their last outing they at least created ample chances to score. And they remained patient.
Gone were the flustered frustrations and hot headed ill-discipline moments – other than Tyrel Lomax’s late yellow card – that proved so costly in successive defeats to the Wallabies and Pumas.
In hot, humid conditions the All Blacks bench injected significantly more impact than in recent weeks – Jordan’s two tries and Patrick Tuipulotu’s final strike cases in point.
Just as they try not to get too low following defeats, the All Blacks won’t get carried away with the margin of victory.
The Pumas did not get anywhere near the same level as their historic victory with repeated mistakes gifting the All Blacks the ball. But they weren’t allowed to either.
With a little less kicking and a little more attacking execution, the All Blacks will now believe next year they can deliver better results than this year’s three win, two loss, one draw record.
All Blacks 38 (Will Jordan 2, Dane Coles, Ardie Savea, Patrick Tuipulotu tries; Richie Mo’unga 5 cons, pen)
Argentina 0
HT: 10-0
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments