The All Blacks got their World Cup defence off to a successful if not entirely convincing start at Wembley Stadium this morning.
Argentina defended well, led at half time and were still within a converted try of victory until the 66th minute before running out of steam and very nearly, reserves.
First half
When Dan Carter nailed his third penalty within the opening quarter it felt like the floodgates were about to open. Argentina’s discipline was poor and the Pumas looked ripe for a beating, but they fought back immediately scoring the only try of the half.
They had only 14 men after Puma Pablo Matera had been carded earlier for being cynically offside when not retiring behind his goal line. Though still a man short and down 0-9, Argentina commanded play after their third restart kick and had the All Blacks back-pedalling.
Firstly, hooker-captain Agustin Creevy, and then rising star lock Tomas Lavanini, took the ball to the line and from the breakdown the other lock, Petti Pagadizaval, beat Kieran Read’s tackle to score. Converted. NZ 9-7 at 22 minutes.
Puma Pagadizaval scores first try of the match
With 15 men back on the field Argentina had the better of the second quarter of the match, helped by two yellow cards against New Zealand. All Black skipper Richie McCaw was sin-binned for only the third time in 142 tests, for deliberate tripping to stop a tap and go—as was Conrad Smith for cynical work at the breakdown.
That meant that the All Blacks had the most capped sin bin of all time for a brief period.
Two penalty goals were slotted by the Pumas following the carding infringements, and the All Blacks replied with one.
The All Black forwards were being bullied as they were in Sydney, their defence was leaky and their attack was not direct enough.
The ball work of Argentina was better and their coach Daniel Hourcade must have been content, but would remind his charges to maintain the rage after the break.
Half-time score: Argentina 13 – New Zealand 12
Second half
After Sanchez kicked an offside penalty for the Pumas the All Blacks make five changes in a short time; it was probably planned, but NZ needed a lift.
Sonny Bill Williams had an immediate effect but his easy backhand pass for a try to Milner-Skudder was dropped .
When a lineout maul drive rotated, the All Black section was closer to the Puma line, and when the maul broke up scrummie Aaron Smith darted over to score. It was well done and the Carter conversion had NZ ahead 19-16 at the end of the third quarter.
Aaron Smith – goes over to score first New Zealand try
Nearing the hour mark Argentina were still well in the game but they started to flag physically and were affected by injuries. Their reserve hooker had to play in the back row and their bench was a level below that of the Kiwis anyway.
What turned out to be the killer blow came with 14 minutes remaining when the Pumas were short in the backline and SBW gave the final pass for a Sam Cane try.
Final score: New Zealand 26 – Argentina 16.
Sonny Bill Williams – dominant when he came from the bench
The players
New Zealand
The best Kiwis were half back Aaron Smith and replacement centre Sonny Bill Williams, who was sometimes dominant in the 35 minutes he played from the bench. Lock Brodie Retallick was the best of the forwards.
Argentina
JM Hernandez rolled back the years to 2007. “El Mago”passed brilliantly and his kicking from hand, was mostly of star quality. Scrummie Tomas Cubelli was left like a shag on a rock defending when AJ Smith scored, but he had a game to be proud of.
Skipper-hooker August Creevy had some tough ball carries, but was lucky not to be carded on one occasion.
Apart from some ill-discipline by its members the Puma pack was magnificent in the first half.
Worth watching the replay?
Aaron Smith’s try was a wee gem and so were the two SBW passes that should have led to more tries – but other than that this was an attritional and almost dour affair that threatened to explode without ever quite doing so.
The scrummaging of the starting Puma pack was a feature and so was their attacking defence in the second quarter of the game.
Some of the All Blacks showed their age but their experience should see them through to better things in the tournament.
Not a classic; but this is what the knockout matches will look like in the RWC so we may as well get used to it.
The scoring
New Zealand 26 ( A. Smith, S.Cane tries; D. Carter 4 pens, 2 cons) def. Argentina 16 (GP Pagadizaval try; N. Sanchez 3 pens, con).
For official match highlights courtesy of World Rugby click on this link
Daniel Hourcade photo by Lee Grant – others by Getty Images – thank you.
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