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.
F/T: New Zealand 53-3 Argentina
Talk about a reaction. An All Blacks performance of old, that, seven tries to none with Argentina thoroughly out-classed in the Hamilton wet. New Zealand played the percentages well but it was their execution and accuracy that made the difference in inclement conditions.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 53-3 Argentina (Beauden Barrett try, 85 minutes)
A sharp set-piece strike and New Zealand hit 50! Ardie Savea bursts away from the base of the scrum, Beauden Barrett fades behind brother Jordie setting the short line, and around the corner the replacement fly-half hustles to dive over for New Zealand’s seventh try. The All Blacks raise the bat, and the younger Barrett brother sends us to a close with the conversion. A thumping.
New Zealand 46-3 Argentina, 82 minutes
Another penalty to New Zealand as the intensity of the rain ratchets up again. In the shadow of the posts, New Zealand fancy a scrum.
New Zealand 46-3 Argentina, 81 minutes
Another rip from New Zealand, though, and a chip ahead is chased after gamely by Will Jordan, whose step count has been high.
Lucio Cinti escapes the clutches of the All Blacks’ right wing, a hurdler’s step free from Jordan’s lunge, but the next Argentine carrier is isolated and penalised for holding on.
Ardie Savea isn’t happy with Matias Moroni, and for the first time all night there is a little bit of niggle. The clock’s in the red, chaps, and one side is 43 points up - I’m not sure exactly what you hope to achieve.
Anyway, Beauden Barrett prods into the corner and New Zealand will have a shot at 50.
New Zealand 46-3 Argentina, 80 minutes
The All Blacks set off on the hunt for 50, but Finlay Christie is gathered up like laundered linen as he dallies at the base. Argentina earn a penalty and they will instead seek a consolation.
New Zealand 46-3 Argentina, 79 minutes
An errant lineout, by contrast, rather sums up Argentina’s day. Their accuracy has just been slightly off in all facets.
New Zealand 46-3 Argentina, 77 minutes
We expected a reaction from New Zealand but this really has been a performance reminiscent of their best. Brodie Retallick is absolutely on it, first stealing the ball from the hands of an Argentina carrier like a biscuit from the tin, and then making a hammering tackle on Juan Cruz Mallia some seventy metres upfield after Beauden Barrett’s long punt.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 46-3 Argentina (Brodie Retallick try, 74 minutes)
Another for the All Blacks!
More excellent continuity as spaces begin to appear against a tiring Argentina defence. Rieko Ioane appears set to score as he knifes between two tacklers but Juan Martin Gonzalez hauls him back. Fletcher Newell is brought to a stop a metre short but Brodie Rettallick will not be, back in an All Blacks shirt and back on the scoresheet with Sam Whitelock providing muscular support on his hip.
Jordie Barrett converts on this occasion.
New Zealand 39-3 Argentina, 72 minutes
Lovely execution from the All Blacks as they try a strike move from a lineout on the right, ball efficiently transferred behind two dummy runners between the Barrett back brothers. Jordie shimmies to the outside and has Caleb Clarke with him, toeing ahead for the rapid wing, but a skew off the left sees it skid into touch before Clarke can properly put the hammer down in pursuit.
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