Argentina Scare All Blacks at Wembley

A world record crowd was witness to a superb game of rugby this afternoon in which the number one ranked side from the Americas, Argentina, started their Rugby World Cup campaign this afternoon with a strong performance against the 2011 world champions, New Zealand.

The 26-16 final score saw the All Blacks collecting four competition points and Argentina zero. New Zealand are thus tied with Georgia on four points whlie Argentina and Tonga are winless while Namibia will debut against the All Blacks in London on Thursday.

The Richie McCaw captained side can prepare for Namibia knowing that the toughest match is out of the way and that they need not play to their potential to win their three remaining pool matches and reach the Quarter Finals. Argentina, in contrast, cannot lose again and face the tough assignment of Georgia next Friday in the rugby strong-hold of Gloucester.

The All Blacks’ win featured three yellow cards with the first to go being Puma Pablo Matera. Few disputed the call but it nonetheless came at a time when his teammate, Leonardo Senatore, had been held back around the legs by All Blacks players. He called the attention of the referee but with Matera’s breach it mattered not.

Early on Argentina started well with the South Americans getting out of their own territory and some magic from Juan Martín Hernández sending New Zealand back to within its own 22. Early pressure had Los Pumas putting the All Blacks under pressure but a turnover from Kieran Read saw the number one side in the world recover to kick their way out of danger.

Strong work to gain the resulting lineout saw New Zealand advancing and fly half Dan Carter opening the scoring when he landed a 4th minute penalty attempt. Two further penalties saw New Zealand leading 9-0 after 19 minutes, a dangerous sign considering the All Blacks were yet to truly threaten the try line.

Astoundingly English referee Wayne Barnes penalised Los Pumas six times in the opening fifteen minutes. Agustín Creevy tried to keep his players calm even with Matera sidelines for ten minutes. When he returned Argentina fired on all cylinders to force their way to deep inside All Blacks territory. From close range second-rower Guido Petti  dived over as Wembley Stadium exploded, clearly wanting an upset result.

Petti’s try, though, came at a cost as he would not play again. He was forced from the field after Carter had, unintentionally, kneed him in the head. Carter was in no position to make a tackle and stood firm. Petti was replaced by Mariano Galarza who earned his first test cap in a year while Nicolás Sánchez lined up the conversion attempt.

In converting the try and landing a penalty seven minutes later Sánchez put Argentina 10-9 ahead. Argentina’s lead came at a criticial moment as McCaw was yellow carded for foot-tripping an opponent and did so while Argentina was taking a quick penalty.  With Argentina well on top at this point the action could have seen further action taken by Barnes.

Los Pumas, though, kept trying to play and got themselves back into New Zealand territory while hot on attack. Following a Juan Imhoff break All Black center Conrad Smith entered from the side to kill the ball. It saw New Zealand down to 13 men as Sánchez made it a 13-9 match two minutes before half time but it meant little as Carter added a penalty of his own to make it a 13-12 half time score.

Sánchez restored the four point advantage in the 42nd minute following a penalty for New Zealand being offside. At this point Los Pumas were playing the better rugby and appeared to have the beating of the All Blacks. A revival , though, thanks laregly to the injection of star mid-field replacement Sonny Bill Williams proved decisive. His running created opportunities that had previously not existed.

As hard as Argentina tried to fight back New Zealand had come to life and the South Americans were caught deep in their own territory. Upon turning down a kickable penalty the New Zealanders knew it was time to strike and it proved decisive with scrumhalf Aaron Smith ultimately diving over for New Zealand’s opening try in the 56th minute. Carter’s conversion gave New Zealand the lead.

From there the All Blacks were playing to their stereotypical brilliance and sealed the result when replacement Sam Cane eased over for a try in the 66th minute. Carter’s conversion brought to an end the scoring and gave New Zealand a ten point win.

New Zealand will now have a three day rest before playing for the second time. With the match also being played in London the players can prepare for Namibia without being required to travel. Argentina will play again the following day when they take on Georgia in Gloucester.

Scorers

Argentina
Try: Petti
Conversion: Sanchez
Penalties: Sanchez (3)

New Zealand
Tries: A Smith, Cane
Conversions: Carter (2)
Penalties: Carter (4)

New Zealand
15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock

16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams

Argentina
1 Marcos Ayerza, Agustín Creevy, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 4 Guido Petti, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 14 Santiago Cordero, 15 Joaquín Tuculet

16 Julián Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera, 18 Ramino Herrera, 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Jeronimo De La Fuente, 23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino