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the All the black people crushed Argentina on Saturday to regain some pride as they bounced back from two losses in a row to put a hand on the Three Nations trophy.
How it happened | Argentina v All Blacks
New Zealand won 38-0 after leading 10-0 at halftime.
The three-time world champions entered the game under great pressure after falling to the Wallabies and then the Pumas, leaving them facing the prospect of three losses in a row for the first time in more than 20 years.
But fueled by a backlash from his notoriously demanding fans, Ian Foster’s team rebounded emphatically with five attempts to win zero in brutally hot and humid conditions at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, north of Sydney.
It was a much more disciplined All Blacks that dominated the first half, going into halftime 10-0 ahead, but there were also missed opportunities with two attempts canceled.
Argentina made 10 changes to the team that tied with the Wallabies last week and lacked cohesion, with New Zealand making the most of it.
Two attempts in quick succession by young fullback Will Jordan in the fourth quarter sealed the victory and a crucial bonus point to win by three or more attempts.
He nearly secured the Three Nations silver medal for New Zealand, which has 11 points from four games.
Australia will play Argentina next week and either team could beat the All Blacks, but it would take an extra points victory and by a large margin given New Zealand’s much higher point differential.
The defeat stopped Argentina’s fairytale streak in the penultimate round of the tournament after beating New Zealand 25-15 and then drawing 15-15 with Australia.
It was most painful for Mario Ledesma’s men, who hoped to lift their nation’s spirits after the death of soccer legend Diego Maradona.
SEE | All Blacks pays tribute to Maradona before the Pumas match
Captain Sam Cane placed an All Blacks jersey stamped with Maradona’s name jersey number, 10, in the center circle prior to kick-off as a show of respect.
The victory eased the pressure on Foster, who had been facing calls to his firing after just five games in charge following his twin losses.
He dragged his front backpack to better deal with Argentina’s physicality and they responded well. Their scrum was in charge and they eliminated the mistakes that cost them a fortnight ago.
With temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), fullback Beauden Barrett went over the try line early on when they applied pressure, but a video review showed a bump.
But the initiative was from the All Blacks and the breakthrough soon came with hooker Dane Coles in the corner in his 50th Test, with Richie Mo’unga making a difficult conversion.
Mo’unga took a penalty to put them up 10-0 midway through as Argentina struggled to get their hands on the ball.
Powerful winger Caleb Clarke should have put them later, but his attempt was ruled out after his hand was touched as he slid down the line.
After nearly 75 percent possession in the first 40 minutes, New Zealand re-dominated the second verse and deservedly got another attempt at a lineout when the ball was sent to Ardie Savea, who swept the line.
Jordan, in just his second test, took the all-important third down with 13 minutes to go after catching a rogue ball and running towards the line, then landed another when he intercepted a pass and dived over the wing.
Patrick Tuipulotu put the icing on the cake with his fifth attempt five minutes after the horn.
The Tri-Nations will conclude next week when the Wallabies take on Argentina in Sydney (Saturday, December 5 – 10:45 ET).
Scorers:
New Zealand
Attempts: Dane Coles, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan (2), Patrick Tuipulotu
Conversations: Richie Mo’unga (5)
Penalty: Mo’unga
