It was ugly, but the All Blacks continued their undefeated run in the Rugby Championship with a plucky 36-10 win over a spirited Argentinian side.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Argentina 10
All Blacks 36
Winless Argentina play host to the undefeated All Blacks when first plays fourth in another instalment of the Rugby Championship series. Join The Roar for a live blog from 9:40am AEDT.
On paper, this match seems a mere formality. Indeed, if you flicked open your Sportsbet app, you could make a cool six cents for your $10 stake on the powerhouse Kiwi side.
Agustin Creevy and his Pumas have been full of heart this Rugby Championship, but as of yet have come up short in each game. They showed immense promise last week against the Wallabies, and had the All Blacks on toast for 60 minutes a month ago.
That means little, however, in the scheme of the overall standings, and Steve Hansen has duly experimented quite heavily with the match day 23 that will run out in front of a raucous Argentinian crowd.
Waisake Naholo, Damian Mckenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown all return, with David Havili to debut off the bench. Their outside backs are electric, and with the ever-reliable Beauden Barrett controlling things at flyhalf, it could be a long evening for the men in blue.
For Argentina, they will be boosted no end by the returns of Tomas Lavanini and Juan Manuel Leguizamon who should provide some much-needed grunt up front.
Their set piece is always strong, and can use their power at scrum time to try and gain a foothold in the early stages of this match.
Where the game will be won
The Kiwi outside backs versus the Argentine forwards. That may seem oxymoronic, but there’s reason behind it.
If the Argentine set piece can stand up and perform for 80 minutes, the All Blacks will not be able to access the quick, front foot ball that makes their outside backs so dangerous.
However, if the Pumas forwards don’t show up, it will be a cricket score.
Prediction
The Pumas are a gutsy outfit and grow another leg at home. Buenos Aires will be rocking, and the Kiwis will have to play smart football early to take the sting out of the home crowd.
It will be an arm wrestle, but the Kiwis will stay undefeated in this Rugby Championship.
All Blacks by 19
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 9:40am AEDT.
Taylorman
Guest
Hi setup for Naholo in the first was top shelf though, straight out of Carters book. Breaks the line, fends off the player, slips the pass. Stunning try. I think as someone mentioned they just got too lise in the second. No discipline but with the Argie pack hard to see them even getting into game.
Nroko
Guest
I believe its poor execution to a game plan when you are up by 20-30 points. The ABs have been doing this for a while. When they know they are in a comfortable position, they purposely play a less structured game. Theres no point in spanking teams by 50 points everytime. Its to create situations that requires a high skill level without a good platform i.e. create pressure situation. In a way...they are practising...i know this sounds like a joke but its been admitted by steve hanson and co in 2015 world cup. I believe they were trying the same in the first half against argentina in the first test in new Plymouth as well. Credit to argies for keeping the scoreboard tight during those periods.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Tough half to watch to be honest...
Sandy
Guest
Fionn, go away.
Sandy
Guest
That was quite funny, Read sounds like a dinkum Aussie.
BlackWave
Guest
Great stuff to see Havili go over. Hopefully Goodhue gets involved at some stage - that kid's got a lot of promise. But overall some really sloppy play. Barrett bought into his own hype and unleashed a flurry of garbage cross field chip kicks which I never hope to see again. Just not sure why they completely lose their structure in second halves when traditionally they used to burn them in the 2nd 40 and particularly last quarter.
Peter Robinson
Roar Rookie
Good try to Havili. Overall, an adequate win. Another half where the AB's lacked any accuracy, structure and execution. We have seen that several times this year. This is where you want your first five to step up and command the ship, I hope Foster gives Barrett a rocket. His first half was very good, his 2nd half was woeful. And the rest of the All Blacks followed suit.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
No worries RT. Tough second half to call and sit through!
Carlos the Argie
Guest
I was going to say the Pumas won the second half 7-0, not even that. Pumas deserve credit for making the ABs play so poorly. What a mediocre second half.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report Tries: Read (2), Mckenzie, Naholo, Havili Cons: Barrett 4/5 Pens: Barrett 1/1 Argentina 10 Tries: Leguizamon Cons: Sanchez 1/1 Pens: Sanchez 1/1
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks Nick ...
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
FULL TIME TRY NZ! Arg 10 – 36 NZ David Havili ends a pretty dour second half on a positive note with a simple 8,9,15 play off the scrum penalty. Barrett knocks it over and that's time.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Very average half that ... second half score 7 all ...
Machpants
Roar Guru
I'm really interested in the ABs error rate, awful passes this half especially
Peter Robinson
Roar Rookie
And the AB's blow another try from an absolutely woeful pass from Barrett.
Sylvester
Guest
Ugly, ugly half of rugby. Heap of errors, both teams very cynical, Peyper lost at sea.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
77′ Arg 10 – 29 NZ Havili wow! On debut - sees a hole and flies through.. Shifts right to Laumape who gets shovelled into touch. Then, the AB's are pinged for being offside and the Pumas go quickly - make 60m before De La Fuente is bundled into touch. Bit of headless chook stuff going on out there as both sides will be desperate for this final whistle to blow.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
74′ Arg 10 – 29 NZ Kiwis win a penalty but turn it over and the Pumas clear their lines. Ball now in the midfield, and the Pumas hold up the maul. They now have a scrum... Snooze
Peter Robinson
Roar Rookie
This is, I think, the worst half of rugby I have ever seen from Barrett. EVERYTHING he has done has lacked accuracy.
Nick Kelland
Roar Guru
72′ Arg 10 – 29 NZ After the game this morning, this one seems quite difficult to call. Seemingly dribbling to a close as both sides just can't seem to string together any consistent phases.