All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says his side will take a great deal from overcoming a gritty Pumas performance to win their Rugby Championship clash 57-22 in Hamilton.
The world champions were put under the pump early at the Waikato Stadium, conceding a Santiago Cordero try in the first two minutes and looking shaky in the face of Argentina’s passing game.
But a host of second-half changes, combined with superior physical fitness, allowed the All Blacks to run in five unanswered tries in the final 35 minutes to claim victory.
Hansen was glad his side could take on such an intense outfit on home soil after two straight-forward wins over the Wallabies.
They were far more effective in the final half-hour in both defence and attack, running the ball with purpose and using set-pieces more intelligently.
“For a young group to get a game like this on our own patch and to have our own crowd behind them was ideal,” Hansen said.
“Maybe if we’d been somewhere else, and in front of 80,000 people who didn’t like you much, there would’ve been a wee bit more pressure.”
Hansen was highly complimentary of a Pumas outfit who went toe-to-toe with the All Blacks and trailed at halftime by only five points.
But they ran out of gas as the match wore on.
“They took the game to us; they were clever in how tactically they wanted to play; they had a real clear plan and executed it well,” Hansen said.
“But it takes a lot of energy to do what they were doing.”
A second-half double to Ryan Crotty, as well as five-pointers to Charlie Faumuina, Ben Smith and Luke Romano, broke the Pumas’ resistance.
Skipper Kieran Read said the second-half resurgence was built on the back of multiple substitutions from Hansen, including the injection of halfback TJ Perenara.
They had given the side a second wind with assured performances, according to the captain.
“They didn’t do anything special – it was just them doing their role really well,” Read said.
“They sorted out our defence by actually going forward and knocking them over behind the gain line.”
In upsetting news for Hansen, flanker Sam Cane hobbled off early in the second half with a hamstring injury.
He’ll miss at least the next month.
“We’ll have a better idea tomorrow morning – he’s in a lot of pain,” Hansen said.
Zack
Roar Rookie
Isn't it ironic that the Pumas are playing more like the French of old, and the French are playing like the Pumas of old.
Lara
Guest
23 was in reference to the test team for the day , not actual number of players required period .
taylorman
Roar Guru
Absolutely agree with that. And I think they will. ?
taylorman
Roar Guru
I'd suggest they need a lot more than 23. ABs have several players out for injury who would likely make the side, plus theyve just lost up to five all time best players, yet they're still beating everyone going away. Argie will need to bat three or four deep to cover off injuries, retirements etc and if they were to get that good, fend off the Euro clubs as well. To do that they need a strong local professional competition. They don't as far as I know. So 23 is not going to cut it.
Lara
Guest
If the Pumas can play a full 80 mins , they will be force in test rugby. However, to achieve that ,they need 23 players. They are not there yet, but if they can do the damage in 50 mins and then hang on, that might be enough against most teams. Their pop up off loads in contact against the ABs were beautiful to watch and caused all sorts of problems and hesitation for the tacklers ,therefore created space and time.
papamoa
Roar Rookie
The Springboks are looking in real trouble, the All Blacks need to attack them and go for the jugular. The opportunity to record a new historical win over the Springboks only comes a few times in a generation and this has the makings of a real blowout. The largest winning margin over the Boks is 36 points back in 2003. The All Blacks need to put a plan together to smash that record
taylorman
Roar Guru
Some of the thinking is Whakaata that this team doesn't represent the 'old foe' any more. Different forces behind it with the political interference etc. I think we'll prepare for the 'old foe' but the last few years have seen a decline in the Boks as a major side, and I think this year it's even worse than ever. Can't see anything but a big win next week.
Peter Robinson
Roar Rookie
I concur with all this. Funny to see commentators in general still saying things like giant Bok pack, huge Puma pack. The AB and Wallaby packs both outweigh the current Bok and Puma packs.
Whakaata
Guest
As terrible as the Boks are right now I expect to see a very physical test this coming weekend. They are playing their greatest foes and many an international player has stated that beating NZ in NZ is harder than winning a WC. In saying that I expect them to lift and some. If the ABs do win this game and lock up the RC. I would expect to see Hansen tinker with the team in the return matches to Argentina and South Africa
righteous
Guest
Maybe like lucky to have a well paying job opposed to being in a living pay cheque to pay cheque job.
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
Suspect that's as much due to luck as when people say "you are lucky to be taking that overseas' holiday I saved up for myself..."
righteous
Guest
Gee's hansen is lucky, can pull two of the best players in their positions and the team gets better. I think he's trying to get the two worlds best players in every position.
stainlesssteve
Guest
i enjoyed the quality of the rugby from both sides for the first half; thought the Pumas could have done a bit more of their slick back-line moves, and a bit less crash and bash.....enforcers like Kaino can more than match them in that area Thought the reffing was patchy Thought that it's a bit of a statement, if these two teams, with famously good scrums, still collapse so much. There's something wrong with that. But, WOW, great rugby
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
I only started watching the game 20 mins in and was shocked by the scoreline. The Puma's had the ABs number - great pick and goes, attacking the breakdown and offloads. It was really good to see the boys rattle and have to regroup. Nice to have a decent opposition - looking forward to Boks next.