Improved Argentina still well beaten by All Blacks

Argentina were beaten by the All Blacks in the latest round of the Rugby Championship. This morning’s defeat against New Zealand means that Argentina are 0-4 in the Rugby Championship. The three other teams have won either two matches or all of their matches.

The South Americans were second best in general play as well as on defense and tactically. The first half was one-way traffic. New Zealand defended well and were able to slow down Los Pumas. In contrast, Los Pumas played carefully so as not to concede penalties at rucks. The outcome was quick ball for New Zealand who converted their opportunities.

The half-time score of 24-3 underlined the above. It came with Argentina making 110 first half tackles compared to 45 by New Zealand. In addition, Los Pumas had 37% possession and New Zealand 63%.

With 6 minutes of play gone New Zealand had their first try. Hoskins Sotutu spotted a lack of defenders around the ruck to pick-up and charge ahead. Los Pumas scrambled in defense but the damage had been done. Patrick Tuipulotu touched down in the try zone for the early score.

Further early scoring saw Emiliano Boffelli and Jordie Barrett exchanging penalties. The scoring was paused, though New Zealand missed out on two tries due to throwing forward passes. The pressure continued, though, as TJ Perenara scored off the back of an advancing scrum.

The half-time siren went with a penalty in New Zealand’s favor. It gave the All Blacks a final opportunity to score. The pressure paid off as Tupou Vaa’i scored in the right corner. His try was a simple case of numbers as Argentina had too many players to defend against.

Boffelli opened the second half scoring with a penalty. However, the general play began as the first half ended. New Zealand scored again, and again did so with a forward going over for a try on the wing. Former Tonga u15’s captain Samisoni Taukei’aho touched down in the try zone.

The remainder of the match saw Argentina having the better of play and ultimately scoring as many points as the winning side during the same 34 minute period. Argentina scored a good try through Boffelli. The winger combined with Santiago Carreras to score in the corner. It came from a well-weighted cross-kick.

Los Pumas had further opportunities. They went close to scoring through the forwards only for excellent defense to hold them out; New Zealand were on their game to stop the raids from the Pumas pack.

The scoring finished with Vaa’i scoring his second try. It saw the difference between the teams at 24 points on full-time. For New Zealand all eyes are now on remaining undefeated. They face the world champions South Africa next week in what will be the first time since RWC 2019. Argentina face Australia who have completed back-to-back wins over South Africa.

 

SCORING

ARGENTINA 13
Try – Boffelli 51′
Con – Boffelli (1/1) 53′
Pen – Boffelli (2/2) 8′, 44′

NEW ZEALAND 36
Try – Tuipulotu (6′); Perenara (26′); Vaa’i 2 (40’+3, 77′); Taukei’aho (46′)
Con – J Barrett (3/5) 7′, 27′, 78′
Pen – J Barrett (1/1) 13′

TEAMS

ARGENTINA
1 Facundo Gigena, 2 Julián Montoya, 3 Santiago Medrano, 4 Matías Alemanno, 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Juan Martín Gonzalez, 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Pablo Matera, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Santiago Cordero, 15 Juan Cruz Mallia

Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Carlos Muzzio, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Tomás Lezana, 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Matías Moroni

NEW ZEALAND
1 Joe Moody, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Ardie Savea (capt.), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie, 11 George Bridge, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Jordie Barrett

Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 George Bower, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Braydon Ennor

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia); Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Damon Murphy (Australia)