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Match Highlights: Pumas make much-changed New Zealand work for win

By Nicholas McGee
Anton Lienert-Brown (Ieft) and TJ Perenara (right) celebrate a New Zealand try. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand were provided with their sternest challenge of the Rugby Championship so far as they maintained their 100 per cent record with a hard-fought 46-24 win over Argentina.

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Having eased past Australia in their opening two matches, New Zealand made seven changes for the visit of the Pumas in Nelson, Richie Mo’unga making his full debut after starring in Crusaders’ victorious Super Rugby campaign.

He enjoyed a profitable night with the boot, kicking 16 points, but the All Blacks were on the back foot for long periods against an Argentina team that beat South Africa last time out and it was not until Kieran Read and TJ Perenara crossed for two tries in nine minutes that victory was effectively sealed.

Injuries to Ngani Laumape and Brodie Retallick will give coach Steve Hansen cause for concern, with Argentina, despite the defeat, likely to be the more satisfied of the two sides after producing further signs of progress under Mario Ledesma.

Mo’unga slotted over his first Test points in the fifth minute before Sanchez wasted an immediate chance to level from the tee.

The All Blacks saw Ben Smith, Laumape and Retallick all forced off with injuries, with full-back Smith the only one to return to the field.

And the hosts then found themselves behind when Ramiro Moyano broke free down the left and brilliantly weaved past Mo’unga and Perenara for the game’s opening try.

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New Zealand quickly responded through Nehe Milner-Skudder, normal service resumed as he finished off a superb attacking move.

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Perenara then dummied and stretched over from close range but Argentina continued to threaten and looked to have reduced the deficit when Moyano went over again, this time on the opposite flank, only to see a wonderful solo effort disallowed as he was deemed to have gone in touch while crossing the line.

The boot of Mo’unga made it an 11-point gap at half-time, however, Argentina piled pressure on the New Zealand line following the restart and Sanchez darted over before converting to put the Pumas within striking distance.

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Read re-established New Zealand’s breathing room after a break from Smith and, after Sanchez converted a long-range penalty, Perenara crossed underneath the posts to effectively put the game to bed.

Emiliano Boffelli gave Argentina more to celebrate as the visitors refused to accept defeat, which Shannon Frizell made absolutely sure of as the All Blacks had the final say, Jack Goodhue giving the scoreline a more flattering look than was merited in the last minute.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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