All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and captain Richie McCaw were highly complimentary of Argentina's defence and aggression after Saturday's Rugby Championship clash in Wellington.
The world champions were pushed hard by the impressive tourists with New Zealand only able to pull clear in the final 15 minutes to win 21-5 after holding a 6-5 lead at the break.
"They're probably one of the best defensive teams in the world," Hansen told reporters.
"The system they use is very good. They give you a lot of space on the outside and make you think there's a fool's gold out there and if you go too early with missed passes they drift out and cover that.
"And their one on one tackling is good. They're a very passionate team and have a lot of desire to play for their nation."
The Pumas were very effective at slowing the All Blacks' ball down by flooding the breakdown, and McCaw highlighted their aggressive approach.
"Around the fringes where we tried to get some go forward they defended that pretty well, slowed the ball down and we turned it over," said McCaw.
"I think that was what happened in the first half they had a lot of intensity and we weren't as secure as we would've liked."
Despite the victory the All Blacks will be disappointed with their display after committing numerous errors, especially in the first half.
"Our first half we tried to play way too much rugby for the conditions," said Hansen, pointing to the strong winds and rain.
"We tried to move the ball at times when we should have held on to it. Our ball security wasn't that great.
"The second half we executed pretty good. Our ball security was a lot better. We ran better lines, were more effective at putting pressure on the Argentinians and were perhaps a little bit unlucky not to score another couple of tries.
"(But) I thought for the last 30 minutes of the game we totally controlled it and played in the right half."
Comments
7ton says...
Paco1710
Agree about playing to the referee. All teams do it.
A note on the laws: A tackler may go for the ball from any direction provided he has released the tackled player and is on his feet and he gets to it before a ruck is formed. As a good no.7 should be McCaw is a profilic tackler and many times when people see him coming from the side or front he is doing so legally. But not always and of course he pushes the laws to the limit and he is very adept at knowing just how far to go.
Well done the pumas and not many thought they were going to be a pushover especially under those conditions
Posted 23:25 11th September 2012
Dangerous says...
Never said the pumas would be easy. Several comments stating how close the games have been against them in Argentina. Some of these games were against below par puma sides as well who were driven by passion and guts. This however is a very strong puma side who are on a gaining a lot of momentum and learning very quickly. It might be worth a small wager for Argentina to upset the apple cart at home against the all blacks?
Posted 21:33 10th September 2012
golden_statenba says...
Well said Paco but don't go drinking your coffee before its brewed
The ABs are still a fair bit ahead of Los pumas
Weepu is not essential at all and yes the pumas will learn the more they play the ABs but the ABs will learn the more they play the Pumas.
Also the ABs are probably the best travellers in world rugby which is seen in their consistency.
I agree about the style of play being very similar to France but as we saw on Friday and like France if you start to put points on the passion starts to fade.
Look forward to the battle in buenos aires
Posted 18:06 10th September 2012
fattysock says...
@Paco
I don't think many AB fans were talking about big wins. If you can find any of the old comments, then please - show us! But honestly, the majority of AB fans were quite cautious about your lot, especially after the result against the Boks.
In saying that, there were a few comments on here saying that the ABs would win handsomely, but the vast majority of them were coming from either Bok or Wallaby fans.
Posted 16:33 10th September 2012
paco1710 says...
I love to see the comments about the referees helping Argentina. Is so nice that we always look different games.
I would like all of ABs supporters to try and watch a bit more carefully on how Mc Caw plays on the scrums and rucks. Is it that if a Pumas does it is on the limit or wrong and if McCaw does it is pure genius? How is it possible?
Back at the RWC quarter finals, Mc Caw enters 7 out of 10 times from side, ABs having time to hold the ball on the ground for 30 seconds and Pumas for 1.
I think the referee for ones was good in not giving a "preference" rout eto Abs, not letting them play "on the referee" more than what Pumas did.
That side, hey, Argentina played to the limit? Yes. Played to slow the game? Yes.
Was it expected? Hell yes.
Where were the countermesures from the best team in the world? I just remind everyone here that on the previous chats every AB fan (almost) was talking about a 60 point trash and not one but 5 or 6 bonus points!
Pumas are a hard team to beat fro ABs, always been, because of the way they play defense. Like France: lot of pressure. ABs will suffer it always.
Of course at the end, with more strenght they prevail. Pumas had far more travelling before, played a very physical SA. They sure are more tired. Let's see when ABs et to Argentina.
Weepu and Carter are essential in the team, otherwise they lack depth and pace.
As for kiwiland, Henry worked more ont he heads of the players rather than on the structure and defense. In that, I think an Argentinian coach can even teach something to the ABs.
Posted 11:06 10th September 2012
Rude_80 says...
@JP2PUMAS
Also you can see the evolution of Argentina from 2011 world cup to now, closing the gap to 15 points from 23 points. The gap in Argentina will be even smaller.
33-10
21-5
Posted 23:50 09th September 2012
SBWAllBlack says...
Argies played great. Their defence was epic. To say they played cynical would be correct, however, they played to the referee much like we play to the referee at times. Good on them! It was good exposure of how to play differing styles for each team. Lessons learnt by the AB's of how to play it tight while the Argies will benefit from playing a quick game (although limited by the weather).
Can't wait to see Oz and ABs tour Argentina - They will be some very hard games over there! Wouldn't be surprised if both teams get beaten.
Posted 21:15 09th September 2012
JP2PUMAS says...
We are after watching a re make of last RWC Quarter final, with the argentinian team scoring only try and slowing down ball to dominate score until minute 65' . The game is 80' min, and thats the way the AB play. Their intensity in the last 15 , is a physical and psycological strenght of a world champion. I think result may get closer when pumas meet them at home.
Posted 20:42 09th September 2012
ABlack says...
Its great to see the Pumas playing their own style and bringing something completely different to what NZ, Aus, SA styles of play.Long may it continue.
Must say though... they need to smarten up on their discipline as a better ref than [Poite would have pinged them off the park. The deliberate slowing of ball , flopping onto the opposition side of ruck and post tackle etc is going to get them in trouble sooner than later.
Posted 10:44 09th September 2012
jmanngod says...
much like in the quarter final - Argentina were willing to infringe rather than concede quick ball -they are a negative, damage-limitation team. Even given their SGH defense they were lucky not to get a SH ref who would have smashed them at ruck time.
Posted 09:53 09th September 2012
ridgeback says...
....and in the other game the Wallabies beat the Boks,,,Ooh what other game?!
Posted 01:37 09th September 2012
kiwilad says...
How much did Graham Henry contribute to that defencive structure I wonder???
That said the Argies stood tall.
Posted 00:00 09th September 2012