Argentinian loose forward Pablo Matera got absolutely smashed from kick off against the All Blacks for a second consecutive weekend.
The ball-carrying flanker caught the ball in the opening play of the match at Suncorp Stadium and headed in-field where he was met by both All Blacks props running at full pace.
Matera was first wrapped up by Tyrel Lomax before being smashed backwards by Joe Moody in a totally dominant collision for New Zealand.
The double tackle was almost déjà vu for Matera, who received a similar thumping from tighthead prop Nepo Laulala last weekend and on both occasions it set the precedent for the rest of the game.
The All Blacks went on to beat Los Pumas 13-36 in Brisbane and full match highlights are available below:
This win also means the All Blacks have regained their status at the top of the World Rugby rankings ahead of the Springboks and now sit comfortably in pole position in the Rugby Championship after round four.
“We obviously made a few changes and to keep our performance going with the new combination was pleasing,” said All Blacks head coach Ian Foster. “We didn’t change a lot of our game plans … I was delighted with the way we got through that.”
Captain Ardie Savea added: “I’m just glad we got the win. We knew they’d be tough today, but I’m proud of the boys tonight and as the week went this week you didn’t really notice all the changes.
“Spending quarantine together has really tightened the group and … we expect them to come out and perform.”
The Springboks are the only side standing between New Zealand and the Rugby Championship title with a double-header against the reigning world champions set to take place over the next two weekends.
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