All Blacks: Late tries save blushes against Argentina
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New Zealand battled past a committed Argentina side to eventually ground out a 21-5 Rugby Championship victory at a rain-soaked Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
The world champion All Blacks, number one in the world and undefeated since beating France in the RWC final last year, were hanging on the ropes for three quarters of the match until two quick-fire tries secured a hard-fought win.
It was a bad case of déjà vu for the visitors, who - just like they did in their last meeting with NZ in last year's RWC quarter-final - kept the home side tryless until a five-pointer in the 67th minute from Julian Savea gave the All Blacks some breathing space.
Another touchdown from Cory Jane five minutes later sealed the deal for New Zealand as Argentina simply ran out of gas after trailing 6-5 at half-time.
Difficult conditions meant both sides were never going to produce champagne rugby, but the tourists will take satisfaction from another respectable scoreline. Indeed, the Pumas once again refused to be push-overs and rattled the home side through some courageous defence that forced the All Blacks into making uncharacteristc mistakes.
But as the weather calmed in the second period so did New Zealand as the men in black gained control to claim their third of the tournament, while the Pumas now have two losses and a draw.
The All Blacks made their intentions clear from the start by playing a wide game despite the conditions, however the Pumas well-organised defence kept the hosts at bay. Fly-half Aaron Cruden missed an early penalty attempt, but found his target 10 minutes in to put the hosts 3-0 ahead.
Argentina hit back brilliantly though a try to veteran prop Rodrigo Roncero who powered over from close-range after the Argentinian pack followed up on an earlier knock-on from Ma'a Nonu who lost the ball in contact. Martin Rodriguez's conversion attempt hit the post and bounced wide, but the crowd were stunned to see their beloved All Blacks trailing 3-5.
Nerves were settled slightly when Cruden slotted his second penalty to nudge New Zealand back in front (6-5) in the 25th minute, after a ruck infringement by Roncero.
The All Blacks were denied a chance to open up a significant lead on the stroke of half-time when, with Victor Vito in full flight down the left wing, Marcelo Bosch produced a crucial try-saving tackle and took the flanker into touch.
The severe winds caused a half-time power-cut at Westpac Stadium - a mishap that stretched the normal ten-minute interval to 27. The scrappy Test match continued after the lights came back on, and it didn;t take long for Cruden to stretch his side's lead to four points (9-5).
But the hosts were immediately on the back foot again following the restart, but Rodriguez missed an excellent chance to cut the deficit back to one point after pushing an attempt from bang in front.
New Zealand finally started to click and threatened to score before flank Julio Farias Cabello was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on and the writing was on the wall for Pumas who were now forced to battle on with 14 men.
As the game neared its end, the All Blacks finally gave themselves a comfortable position with 13 minutes to go after Conrad Smith drew three defenders before offloading to Nonu who unselfishly gave the glory to Savea in the corner.
And Jane soon dived over for a second try after racing onto a long miss pass from Cruden which was ruled not to be forward. Cruden landed an excellent conversion from far out on the right to seal the deal.
Man of the match: Argentina pivot Juan Martin Hernandez stood out for both his hard tackling and tactical nous, while once again Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe led admirably from the front. All Blacks centre Conrad Smith was the best of the backs and tried his best to create chances. But we're giving this gong to lock Luke Romano who did everything asked of him for 80 minutes, including taking all his line-outs as well as flying up in the air to challenge the Pumas' throws on every occasion while his work in the tight was immense.
Moment of the match: There weren't many. But whilst the two touchdowns by Julian Savea and Cory Jane buried the brave Pumas, it was prop Rodrigo Roncero's try that warned the All Blacks that the visitors meant business and weren't in the windy city to make up the numbers.
Villain of the match: Whilst Julio Farias Cabello saved a certain five-pointer with his deliberate slap-down of the ball, the ensuing yellow card gave the All Blacks a one-man advantage and it was only a matter of time before they scored their first try.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Try: Savea, Jane
Con: Cruden
Pens: Cruden 3
For Argentina:
Try: Roncero
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Victor Vito, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Ben Smith.
Argentina: 15 Martin Rodriguez, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Santiago Fernandez, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Juan Martin Hernandez, 9 Nicolas Vergallo, 8 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (c), 7 Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 6 Julio Farias Cabello, 5 Patricio Albacete, 4 Manuel Carizza, 3 Juan Figallo, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Leonardo Senatore, 20 Tomás Leonardi, 21 Martin Landajo, 22 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
By Dave Morris
Comments
jmanngod says...
The ABs looked and played like shxt in this game. But let's be frank ..Argentina were never in danger of winning this game. They hustled and bustled and cheated outrageously in the ruck (they were lucky not concede more Yellows - and in fact that flanker was VERY lucky not to be red carded for a 2nd deserved yellow). No one will be happy - but 20 points better in those conditions, with all those changes.... Best to leave the hand-wringing, flush the dunny and move on.
The Argies cynical ruck play was very fortunate to find a NH ref. The ruck properly ref'd by a SH ref would have been vastly different not allowing the continual slowing down of the ball.... but even that wouldn't have alleviated the 8(!!!) knocks on in the 1st half.
Posted 21:38 08th September 2012
paulynz says...
Respect to Los Puma for a great game. Credit for keeping the ABs under huge pressure for so long. Ran out of puff in the second 40 but deserve their place in this tournament. Only a matter of time before they're deservedly amongst the top five teams in the world.
Frustrating that the ABs still don't seem to be able to get out of second gear but I guess that's an indication of the pressure Argentina put them under. Looking forward to when they finally do click. Hopefully this coming Saturday in Dunedin?
Posted 20:46 08th September 2012
bigb6969 says...
This game certainly dampened my expectation of an AB clean sweep of the RC. It is still a major concern that the back line cannot still put it together. It has been 3 games now where they have not functioned. I can only hope that Nonu had a bad game because this is his first game back at 2nd5 for the ABs for some time. Rain being blown in by 100kph winds did not help as well as defense from the Pumas that hit very hard. Poite let them get away a lots of silly stuff at the breakdown, they were lucky they only got one yellow card, a card that should have also been accompanied by a penalty try as it was a stone cold 2 man overlap just 10 metres from the try-line. What was really annoying was the number of rest stops the Pumas took, they must have had a dozen little breaks in play with minor injuries. How much was the travel factor ? I don't know but they tired after half time quite quickly, and were dominated when the weather settled. I met some people on the train home that had come from Masterton , normally and hour drive, who had to come the long way because 170 kilometre winds had closed the Rimataka Road, said it took 3 hours to get her, then park at Paraparaumu station..a note about the Argentinean supporters. Only a small group, but 1000 (at most)of them made more noise than 24,000 NZders.
Posted 19:38 08th September 2012
Houston_11 says...
@Ramage
Thanks for your post. I was gearing up for a rant and then read yours. Thanks for saving me 5 minutes. Absolutely spot on.
Posted 17:34 08th September 2012
JayStarr says...
Told you so...
Posted 17:32 08th September 2012
Ramage says...
@tweedledee49 loved the quip I must let N Sharpe know he has to stop turning off the lights in Wellington.
By the way the Pumas dont play NZ next week they go to OZ and SA come here. Then NZ goes to Argentina and Oz to SA and finally NZ to SA and Oz to Argentina.
Some people think Poite and Owens were poor well wait till next week when Clancy and Barnes hit the bright lights. Once stepping on to centre stage one will be bamboozled as usual and the other will hog the limelight, get in the way and miss more infringements than all the others put together.
Posted 17:04 08th September 2012
kitch says...
havent watched the game yet but fully expected a closer result given that the wet is a great leveler and the tough argie forwards
carpelone.. is it presumptuous of me to predict that you thought the ref didnt ref the wallabies in the 2nd half as well!!.. "i am afraid that my analysis on nz is correct.." sorry to dent your ego but we already knew this AB side has a long way to go but if theyre winning with an unsettled side just imagine what theyll do once they do get their act together!!
startledwombat.. what do you say about the booing from the aussie crowd in their game against sa then??..whaat ..cant hear you ..thought so!!.. its what some fans do in the heat of the moment
kiwilad.. ahh the benefit of hind sight! "i believe the wobblies may not win a game"..DOH!!
Posted 17:00 08th September 2012
kitch says...
havent watched the game yet but fully expected a closer result given that the wet is a great leveler and the tough argie forwards
carpelone.. is it presumptuous of me to predict that you thought the ref didnt ref the wallabies in the 2nd half as well!!.. "i am afraid that my analysis on nz is correct.." sorry to dent your ego but we already knew this AB side has a long way to go but if theyre winning with an unsettled side just imagine what theyll do once they do get their act together!!
startledwombat.. what do you say about the booing from the aussie crowd in their game against sa then??..whaat ..cant hear you ..thought so!!.. its what some fans do in the heat of the moment
kiwilad.. ahh the benefit of hind sight! "i believe the wobblies may not win a game"..DOH!!
Posted 17:00 08th September 2012
Ramage says...
The conditions were quite bad and despite this there still were some good play. The Argentinians really rattled the Blacks and their play in the first half was very good and that of the Blacks was substandard. Too many wayward kicks and handling that was really unacceptable. Has any one noticed that this has been happening all year and coincides with Smith's departure and Foster's arrival. This might be harsh but there has certainly been a fall off in the fluidity of the All Black backline. Towards the end as the Argentinians tired the All Blacks once again gained dominance.
Carpelone of course in your mind Poite let the Blacks away with their cheating because having read your post about the Saffa game it was not the saffas who cocked up the game oh no it was the ref and the mediocre Oz team. Umm hang on mediocre Oz team, then tell me what would you describe the Saffa team as?Look a bit closer to home unless you are already constructing a ban Nigel Owens facebook page.For it is Meyer's tactics which are to blame and his outdated methods and believe it or not he looks worse than PDV. At least PDV was funny Meyer is a maniac his uncontrollable rage there for everyone to see once again screaming into his walkie talkie.
Now we await the arrival of Boks in Dunedin for the test against the All Blacks and I will be interested to see whether Meyer changes his team and tactics. Whether the All Blacks can catch the ball more often than dropping it and whether the current worst International referee has made any progress in his ability to read and feel for a game.
Posted 16:48 08th September 2012
Trader2 says...
As already said the Argies will beat the AB's before Scotland, Ireland, Italy and probably Wales will. Well played to them in terrible conditions which I think affected the AB's more than Argentina. Those conditions reminded me of many years ago in Wellington, playing football and as a goalkeeper having to save my own goal kick I took into the wind!! Ahhh Wellington "fanned by the gentle whispers of the South Pacific".
Posted 16:05 08th September 2012
Rude_80 says...
@Carpelone
Don't you think if SA in Mendoza and ABs today played poor against Argentina is because of merit to Argentina, and besides the style of rugby you like or not. I think Argentina played great for a country where rugby isn't their first sport at all and showed another step forward.
Posted 15:33 08th September 2012
tweedledee49 says...
@Carpelone, what about your analysis on the Springboks?
Posted 15:24 08th September 2012
tweedledee49 says...
@ruckingkiwi, I was implying if they play the whole 80 next like the first 40 this week...so yeah...i would put my house on it....as Arg will be a lot harder at home....i dont think itll happen though.
Posted 15:20 08th September 2012
Carpelone says...
Average New Zealand, poor game, proud effort from Argentina.
How poor was Nonu in the first half?
Poite was perfect in the first half, finally pinging NZ's scrum tricks. Then he decided not to referee anymore against NZ.
I am afraid that my analysis on NZ is correct, there are still lots of position in which they are not fully settled.
Posted 14:48 08th September 2012
tweedledee49 says...
And georgesmith, save your breath....we all know what you are gonna say....it was Sharpes fault the lights went out....
Posted 14:46 08th September 2012
whatisthis says...
Argentina really proving themselves so far. Can,t see any NH teams being in the top 4 in rankings after a while whe they go on a northern hemisphere tour where they can pick up some points.
Posted 14:09 08th September 2012
makemehappy says...
@ATOMO - no and why would anyone think that - do you have problems?? Tell me about them, and perhaps I can help - think you need it! Nice to hear that someone supports a boring team, but you have to admit they don't half cheat at the breakdown and try to slow the game down (which simply isn't good for the game now is it?).
Posted 13:36 08th September 2012
golden_statenba says...
@startledwombat
to be fair the Argentina fans were whistling(South american boo)and they are worse at home
Posted 12:58 08th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
"All Blacks, terrible first half and I am sure if they play like that next week, they will definitely lose"
Will you put your house on it?
Posted 12:52 08th September 2012
porridge_time says...
ArmchairGeneral
There was a horrendous storm throughout the region all day so credit must be given to both teams for their efforts.
Your comments about the power cut and Wellington having to get it together is abit rich comming from someone who lives in a country that shut comes to a stand still every winter because of a couple of inches of snow!
Posted 12:43 08th September 2012