The scoreline turned out as predicted but the numbers flattered New Zealand somewhat. Argentina played well and got the best of the scrums. Had the officiating team not butchered a perfectly legitimate charge-down try by Leonardo Senatore things might have been closer. That said they also failed to see a blatantly obvious early tackle on Julian Savea in the opening minutes that might have been a try for the home side.
Conditions were a bit slippery but the rain held off for the most part at McLean Park, allowing for the game to be played at a relatively high pace. Both sides were happy to run the ball as much as possible, and the result was an entertaining spectacle played in good spirit. The All Blacks were made to work, and the forwards will be heavy on the ice packs for a couple days.
Argentina struggled a bit defensively at times, particularly in the no12 channel where New Zealand exposed the relative inexperience of Juan Martin Hernandez by flooding the midfield with runners from the blindside. The Pumas missed Pablo Matera’s cover speed and the confusion led directly to two tries, one to Savea and one to Aaron Smith. Another try came from an unfortunate mistake at a dominant scrum when the ball was kicked loose and Liam Messam was the beneficiary after Beauden Barrett break for a score against the head.
The Pumas can take heart from the overall performance of their forwards, particularly the starting tight five who were outstanding and just about got the better of their opposites. They’ll have some work to do on their defensive patterns, and might want to revisit a couple selections. Senatore put in a solid effort but their back row lacked a little pace, and without Manuel Montero the side was short a ball runner to break the line.
Steve Hansen will be reasonably happy. It was always going to be tough to follow up the brilliant team outing in Auckland, but his team was up for it and will especially enjoy the impact of the reserves, with Jeremy Thrush and Sam Cane both impressing in extended outings. South Africa arrive in Wellington this week lining up another ding-dong battle up front.
NEW ZEALAND 28 vs 9 ARGENTINA
Saturday, September 6, 07:35 GMT, Napier
SCORING
16 mins – B. Barrett pen 3-0
19 mins – N. Sánchez pen 3-3
26 mins – J. Savea try 8-3
32 mins – N. Sánchez pen 8-6
40 mins – L. Messam try 13-6
44 mins – J. Savea try 18-6
63 mins – N. Sánchez pen 18-9
65 mins – C. Slade pen 21-9
73 mins – A. Smith try 26-9
73 mins – C. Slade con 28-9
NEW ZEALAND
I. Dagg; B. Smith, C. Smith, M. Nonu, J. Savea; B. Barrett (C. Slade 56), A. Smith (T.J. Perenara 74); W. Crockett (J. Moody 59), D. Coles (K. Mealamu 65), O. Franks (B. Franks 65); B. Retallick, S. Whitelock (J. Thrush 28); L. Messam (S. Cane 43), R. McCaw (capt.), K. Read.
ARGENTINA
J. Tuculet; H. Agulla (J. Imhoff 66), M. Bosch, J.M. Hernández, J. González Amorosino; N. Sánchez (S. González Iglesias 74), M. Landajo (T. Cubelli 54); M. Ayerza (L. Noguera Paz 65), A. Creevy (M. Cortese 74), R. Herrera (N. Tetaz Chaparro 65); M. Galarza (M. Alemanno 74), T. Lavanini; J.M. Leguizamón, J. Fernández Lobbe, L. Senatore (R. Báez 66).
Referee: P. Gaüzère (FFR)
Assistants: J. Garcès (FFR) & R. Hoffman (ARU)
TMO: P. Marshall (ARU)
