The All Blacks have repelled a rousing performance from Argentina, scoring six tries to win their Rugby Championship Test 46-24 in Nelson.
The resilient Pumas refused to lie down against the world champions, creating three tries of their own through the brilliance of five-eighth Nicolas Sanchez to follow up their last-start upset of South Africa.
However, they lacked the finishing power of the hosts, who bagged a third bonus point win of the Rugby Championship to move closer to defending their title.
Playing their first-ever Test in the South Island city, a much-changed All Blacks side were guilty of uncharacteristic errors and couldn’t bust the Pumas open as easily as they could in successive wins over Australia last month.
They were more clinical after the break, crossing four times, including a second to halfback TJ Perenara to mark his first start in nearly a year.
Five-eighth Richie Mo’unga kicked 16 points in his maiden start but was untidy with his execution, typifying an over-exuberant display from the world champions.
His opposite Sanchez continued his brilliant form from the 32-19 triumph in Mendoza two weeks ago, scoring one try and setting up the other two in a 14-point display.
It means Argentina haven’t finished within 15 points of the All Blacks in all 12 of their Rugby Championship Tests.
However, their tenacious display – not helped by a hefty penalty count against them – will provide some confidence ahead of facing the Wallabies on the Gold Coast next week.
Three All Blacks left the field with injuries 10 minutes in following a bruising start.
Lock Brodie Retallick (shoulder) and inside centre Ngani Laumape (knee) didn’t return but fullback Ben Smith was cleared of a head knock.
Standout Pumas winger Ramiro Moyano weaved past the rattled hosts to for the game’s first try.
His opposite Nehe Milner-Skudder responded quickly with a try in his first Test for nearly a year before Perenara also stretched across.
Argentina centre Matias Moroni was unlucky not to score following a Sanchez break, with his foot barely scraping the dead ball line in Perenara’s tackle.
Mo’unga’s second penalty put New Zealand 18-7 up at halftime but the gap was reduced to four when the excellent Sanchez ghosted over.
Two All Blacks veterans combined when skipper Kieran Read scored from a Ben Smith break before Perenara’s second put the hosts 15 points clear entering the final quarter.
Fullback Emiliano Boffelli scythed over from a Sanchez short ball with 10 minutes to play before flanker Shannon Frizell and outside centre Jack Goodhue blew out the scoreline.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Hansen just said pretty much that in regards to the Boks.
win 4
Guest
And as I said some teams move forward and up, that you could see last night, they have gone up another level, and yes that has been the way before but there is a different air about them this time round, lookout WB"S
System of a Downey Jr
Roar Rookie
Rough call on the Pumas not to be given that try on half time. Sanchez has had a great last two games with surprising running rugby. He had some aimless kicking in the second half though (a couple of ones in particular leading up to both the Read and TJ's 2nd try). The wings were electric and that first Argetina try was a delight. However their discipline is still a problem. The prop was lucky not to get a yellow card for slapping the ball out of TJ's hand when the ABs for the penalty Mo'unga kicked before half time. For all the talk of neck rolls then I expect plenty more next week when they play Australia, there was one on Whitelock when Sam won a penalty for the Pumas not releasing. That video replay was damning and Ardie was also getting grabbed around the head constantly. I expect the same thing to happen next week. ABs had a B-side feel but I thought the selectors were smart in having leaders like Read, TJ, Whitelock and Ben Smith there with the young guys. Mo'unga will be better for that game and his post match interview he seemed disappointed which is a good thing as he can focus on improving his control at international level. Ardie and TJ are both experienced now and really led well. Frizzel made a great impact and hope he can continue it unlike Fifita's drop off this season. ALB had a huge game and Mackensie must be the most lethal bench player I've ever seen.
Jacko
Guest
Win 4 perhaps we should wait and see the result before we write off the Wallabies and their coaching....As moaman said the Puma's have looked great against the ABs before looking less so against the Wallabies a week later. It certainly looks like they have improved but we have seen this in the past
Phantom
Roar Rookie
A class number 10. Organising the defence
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Big KT must now start. His scrummaging is simply amazing
Phantom
Roar Rookie
He looks very good. More time in camp and longer periods on the field will only help him develope. Ya at last a genuine test level prospect.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
They were some of the best games they played. Especially by the french. Referee decisions aside. Even the WB played some top rugby but just not enough. It sure held them in good stead because they beat the boks. Pity you don’t understand the game a little better.
Jacko
Guest
Ben i thought Argentina's cover/scramble defence was far better than Aus was.....they kept on coming.....Their backs are well organised defencively and switch to attack better than we saw from Aus also
Ben
Guest
Pumas made goid inroafs to the ABs lineout. Ttheir lifters get guys up real quick. I think thats their key to that success. Funny their scrum has regressed though and they got tozed up by the AB scrum Big Karl was superb scrumtime and around the field. His best match. Ledesma imo is a good coach and says all the right thibgs re work ons. I think theyve started to concentrate on ither things as opposed to being big scrummagers and thats good. Their backs look great compared to what they used to be like...what a classic wingers try that was.
Ben
Guest
"couldn’t bust the Pumas open as easily as they could in successive wins over Australia last month." Thats not true. They made a heap of linebreaks in that first half but subsequent poor decision making post break meant it broke down. Frizzell alone made 3 busts in that 1st half. It was the 50 50s let them down post bust.
win 4
Guest
????????????? is this the first game of rugby you have ever watched? OR you watch a fantsy game some where?????
win 4
Guest
Keep grounded?? get a base? they have surpassed any where aus has even touched on let alone got to in the short time they have been in the comp? so where doe"s that leave aus coaching? and I think this time round look out wb"s
thebleedingobvious
Roar Rookie
Mounga got surprised by the pace of test rugby Nathan Harris is not a viable 3rd hooker when his throwing is inconsistent Nehe ms lacks a little pace Naholo, strong finisher but weak at committing in exiting and in the air, lacks a bit of ticker? Crotty, ALB and Goodhue are all better rugby brains and players than SBW
Willem Labuschagne
Guest
Various conclusions can be drawn from the test between the ABs and the Pumas. Here are five. 1. Nehe Milner-Scudder has lost even more speed then a year ago and must now surely be the slowest wing in world rugby over distances of more than five meters. 2. Richie Mo’unga still has a lot to learn about playing under pressure. 3. Ben Smith still has a wonderful knack of doing the right thing at the right time. That he was rated at 7 out of 10 by Stuff and NZ Herald makes one wonder just how clueless their journos are. 4. Shannon Frizell must now surely be rated a genuine contender for a spot in the ABs World Cup squad. By Sep 2019 he should have learnt not to throw the ball away to the opposition after breaking through the line. His athleticism is stunning. 5. TJ Perenara will never have a sweet pass like Aaron Smith but his energy and commitment is admirable and very effective, both on attack and defence.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Patricio Fernandez who plays in Clermont looks promising.
Barney
Roar Rookie
It's easy to be up for the ABs but the Pumas in the three matches so far look a much better side with Ledesma at the helm. They seem more organised, fluent and focused even in this loss. Unless there is major regression in the upcoming matches, they could be building nicely for the World Cup. Figallo was a big loss but at least Ledesma knows he might need to look to Europe again in that department. Otherwise, the other worry is Sanchez in both a positive and negative sense. He was a bit careless and aimless in his general kicking, usually punished by the ABs. But he seems to be more of a running threat these days especially when paired with Bertranou. The problem with the Pumas is if he got injured, is here a realistic back up?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
LOL, yeah right... the French and the Wallabies really gave us performances for the ages against the AB's this year, is that what you are saying champ?
adam smith
Guest
Proud as of the Neph, Te Toiroa! Solid first hit out, nice pop pass in the lead up the last try.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Every team plays like Tarzan against the abs. The trouble is they play like Jane against the rest.