New Zealand vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship result and final score as All Blacks crush Pumas
New Zealand secured revenge for defeat in Christchurch last week with a dominant victory in the Hamilton rain
New Zealand thrashed Argentina in Hamilton today 53-3 with an All Blacks performance of old, scoring seven tries to none with the Pumas thoroughly out-classed in the wet. New Zealand played the percentages well but it was their execution and accuracy that made the difference in inclement conditions.
“Obviously massively important,” said captain Sam Cane after the match. “We were under a bit of pressure. This week we were in the game rihgt from the start and were able to turn that into points. I thought our defence was outstanding. Our discipline, too. I’m pleased with the way we kept it on for the full 80. I just love the attacking mindset. It’s awesome. We are really stoked to be able to put out a performance that we are proud of at home. We hadn’t really done that this year.
“There’s always massive pressure and we put it on ourselves too. It was just a nice reward for the hard work we have been putting in and getting everyone to see it.”
Re-live the Test between the All Blacks and the Pumas with our live blog below.
Australia 3-24 South Africa, 77 minutes
Two front-rowers are going 80 minutes here, both Malcolm Marx and Allan Alaalatoa producing remarkable efforts in a tough, physical test match - the latter particularly so after surely having the life scared out of him by Eben Etzebeth in that scuffle.
He wins a penalty, too, the Australian tighthead - South Africa drive on an illegal angle at the scrum.
Australia 3-24 South Africa, 76 minutes
Australia vary their attacking play, Jake Gordon in at scrum-half with Nic White pushed to the wing. But the Wallabies have looked slightly lost since the departures of first Hunter Paisami and then Noah Lolesio, forced to employ a rejigged backline that surely will have spent little training time together.
A spinning blind pass tumbles forward from the hands of a frowning Marika Koroibete, who has been short of opportunities.
Australia 3-24 South Africa, 74 minutes
South Africa are well placed for a bonus point, of course, and will be keen to close this out, even down to 14 players. Canan Moodie nearly repeats his acrobatic first-half trick, but can’t quite secure the catch of Cobus Reinach’s box kick.
Australia 3-24 South Africa, 72 minutes
The try stands, though, and Frans Steyn knocks over the touchline conversion. It was more smart handling from South Africa to work the space, Willie le Roux fading to the outside on a wide miss pass and putting Mapimpi in.
Australia will have a penalty on halfway to restart the game but that is surely the death knell.
TRY! Australia 3-22 SOUTH AFRICA (Makazole Mapimpi try, 71 minutes)
Makazole Mapimpi sprints into the corner for the score! But tempers flare and there’s an almighty scrap, and we are going upstairs for a check!
The try looks good, but Mapimpi had been angered by the cover tackle of Marika Koroibete. Like last week’s try-saver, Koroibete’s challenge looks to have a hint of the arm-less about it, though this one looks just about ok. Mapimpi inflames things by standing over Koroibete and telling him all about the score, instigating a mighty brawl, both sets of players piling in.
As ever in the modern era, it’s all pushing and shoving. Eben Etzebeth’s eyes open widely in a truly terrifying manner as he grasps the shirt of Allan Alaalatoa, driving the prop infield with seemingly cruel intent, though holding back wisely.
Yellow card for Mapimpi! A long discussion between Ben O’Keeffe and his TMO Brendon Pickerill, but the try-scorer won’t see out this game for his role in sparking that fracas.
Australia 3-17 South Africa, 70 minutes
Siya Kolisi has earned a deserved sit-down, the South African captain replaced for the final ten minutes after an excellent showing. Duane Vermeulen’s introduction ensures little drop off in back-row leadership.
Deon Fourie was named as hooker cover but he also appears to now be on and at flanker, his regular position for the Stormers. The new-look South African scrum earns penalty advantage, and there’s space on the left edge...
Australia 3-17 South Africa, 68 minutes
Can Australia find something to get them going? Rob Valetini has carried superbly all night, and makes a hulking dent, but Dave Porecki takes Kwagga Smith around the neck as he tries to make sure the ball comes back cleanly. It just hasn’t quite happened for Australia.
Australia 3-17 South Africa, 67 minutes
South Africa continue to look a threat but can’t quite fully cut Australia open. Damian Willemse’s toe ahead hops uncomfortably for Tom Wright, now at full-back, but the Wallaby is able to ground for a goalline drop out.
Australia 3-17 South Africa, 65 minutes
James Slipper is going off, so Allan Alaalatoa will be Dave Rennie’s 80-minute man in the front row. Dave Porecki is trotting on, too, so Folau Fainga’a’s evening is done, while Rob Leota replaces Matt Philip. Trevor Nyakane steps in for Frans Malherbe on the South African tighthead.
There is Leota, darting on a sharp line after lurking in the 13 channel, but failing to fully get back to his feet before crawling for extra metres and penalised.
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