The All Blacks have once again proved their doubters wrong today, by taking victory over Argentina just a week after their surprise defeat to the Pumas in Wellington. The victory marked the 50th Eden Park win in a row, an international record.
The occasion was very reminiscent of their 53-3 victory in the 2022 Rugby Championship when once again they had been on the receiving end of a surprising loss to Argentina just a week prior.
With many of their star players under fire for underperforming last week, it was time for the All Blacks to step up – and step up, they did.
Different angle on Ardie Savea’s double BOSH #NZLvARG @RugbySco pic.twitter.com/d4CJ9QkQih
— Alisdair Hogg (@ajshogg) August 17, 2024
TJ Perenara, blamed for much of his side’s misfortune last week, looked to have molten lava in his veins as he fiercely attacked the Pumas line at every opportunity. Damian McKenzie controlled proceedings with pure confidence, using the talents outside him to find multiple gaps in the defensive line.
Match Events
The first half saw five tries scored by the All Blacks, all created or finished by fly-half Damian McKenzie. The blonde playmaker found himself on the end of a sneaky chip over the defensive line by Jordie Barrett early on, touching down just before the ball was allowed to bounce over the deadball line.
Ardie Savea was next in line to bundle over from close range, followed up by Caleb Clark finishing off a wonderful passing routine to make it three tries to the good within just 23 minutes. The romp wasn’t to slow down anytime soon, with speedsters Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett both breaking the line to score their own respective tries before the break.
With McKenzie hot off the tee, and the All Blacks backline firing, not many people would have given the visiting Pumas much chance in the second half – and they would have been right. Just one minute after the whistle blew to restart the half, the returning Will Jordan was back at it, sliding over for his second of the match to make it 33 tries in as many tests.
33 essais en 33 matchs pour Will Jordan avec la Nouvelle-Zélande !
Il lui en faut encore 17 pour devenir le meilleur marqueur d’essais de l’histoire des All Blacks. pic.twitter.com/UbXPKmWrkp
— Pablo Guillen (@pablo_guillen_) August 17, 2024
Argentina allowed themselves the one consolation try courtesy of Juan Cruz Mallia, but a consolation was all it was.
Final score: New Zealand 42 – 10 Argentina
Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
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