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All Blacks blitz Pumas to book place in Rugby World Cup final
By Finn Morton
SAINT-DENIS – With the hopes of a rugby-mad nation resting firmly on their shoulders, the All Blacks have overcome pressure, scrutiny and a historic pool stage defeat to book their place in the Rugby World Cup final.
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New Zealand secured their spot in the big dance for the fifth time after overcoming a valiant Los Pumas outfit 44-6 in Friday’s semi-final at Stade de France on a surprisingly dry night north of Paris.
As hours turned into minutes and the countdown for this highly anticipated knockout clash between two great southern hemisphere rivals continued to tick by, fans made their way into the Saint-Denis venue in their droves.
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The Argentina fans set the tone with some passionate cheers and cries of support before the Test, but the All Blacks had thousands of supporters in their corner – only they seemed to be stewing in a state of nervous excitement as both teams made their way out onto the field.
Referee Angus Gardner called for time-on soon after, with Argentina playmaker Santiago Carreras kicking off the Test, but the All Blacks stumbled at their first hurdle.
Much as they did in last weekend’s blockbuster quarter-final against Ireland at the very same venue, the All Blacks looked nervous – far from what fans from the world over have come to expect.
Fullback Beauden Barrett cleared the ball from the kick-off, but it was a meaningless kick at best. Los Pumas mounted an impressive attack in return and it so nearly paid off for them. But a wasteful kick from Carreras gifted the New Zealanders a lifeline.
Knockout
11 - 12
Final
6 - 44
SF1
15 - 16
SF2
17 - 29
QF1
24 - 28
QF2
30 - 24
QF3
28 - 29
QF4
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New Zealand kicked again, but it was another poor exit from a Barrett – this time it was Jordie. The All Blacks were under more needless pressure.
Following waves of relentless attack, the Pumas took the lead through an Emiliano Boffelli penalty goal in just the fourth minute. The All Blacks were stunned, sure, but only for a moment. Test rugby is a marathon, not a sprint, after all.
Following a series of penalties after Argentina, New Zealand went on to score the opening try of the Test through electric wing Will Jordan. Playing with an advantage, flyhalf Richie Mo’unga threw a lofty cut-out pass to send his former Crusaders teammate over for the score.
Jordan played a key role in another try just five minutes later by sending Jordie Barrett over for a score in the corner.
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The All Blacks latched firmly onto their hard-fought lead, and while they didn’t concede any points for almost 20 minutes, the New Zealanders didn’t score any either.
Possession was split down the middle at 50/50 with the 30-minute mark rapidly approaching, but the Pumas statistically dominated the territory battle.
Argentina had their best try-scoring opportunity of the night late in the first term with Los Pumas building some well-worked attacking pressure with the try-line in sight. But their efforts were in vain.
The All Blacks’ rock-solid defensive wall stood firm as Los Pumas struggled to break through – but they didn’t walk away empty-handed. Another penalty to Emiliano Boffelli reduced Argentina’s deficit to just six points.
With half-time rapidly approaching, the semi-final battle tipped in the All Blacks’ favour once again as Mo’unga nailed a penalty in the 37th minute.
Shortly after, wing Mark Telea beat a handful of Argentine defenders to gift the New Zealanders one more try-scoring opportunity before the break. Flanker Shannon Frizell, rather casually, danced over out wide for the All Blacks’ third and final try of the first half.
But the All Blacks were even better after the break, and it quickly became clear that the full-time result was simply never in doubt.
Halfback Aaron Smith beat a couple of defenders to score a brilliant individual try just after the break. That score, it must be said, seed to suck the life out of the Los Pumas’ usually vocal supporters who were not sat firmly in their seats.
With the New Zealanders continuing to control the narrative on this fateful Paris night, they struck again through a familiar face in Shannon Frizell. The flanker had a double in a World Cup semi-final after crashing over from a pick-and-drive.
The All Blacks began to make some substitutions as they appeared to have almost certainly booked their place in the big dance. Codie Taylor was first, and then coach Ian Foster made mass changes – fullback Beauden Barrett jogged off with a well-earned smile.
While Scott Barrett was yellow-carded late in the piece, it was New Zealand’s night, and that wasn’t in doubt.
Another two tries to wing Will Jordan in the 61st and 74th minutes saw the All Blacks complete their dominant 38-point win over Los Pumas.
The horrors, heartbreak and disappointment of the 2019 semi-final defeat to England had been put to rest. For the third time at four Rugby World Cups, the All Blacks are off to the final.
Well, it is not so often that the two finalist teams get an easy training before the final. Both teams will come fully rested new week
Well that didn’t happen for the Boks - so much for your prediction. But I see you also disliked that game as well. Perhaps you should watch some other type of football?
Some wonderful plays by AB’s. Really, their defence never looked like conceding a try. Was one AB try that should not have been though. The Jordan kick and chase. The pass from Ardie was forward. Looked clearly that in the ground level footage, and a spider cam sequence showed very clearly it was indeed forward.
If SAF are in the final, World cups don’t get any better, the ole foe from way way back, it will be an awesome Test Match. NZ vs SAF both can adapt there defence, and apply pressure. They both have scrummagers Line out skills speed in traffic and at the top end - and both reserve benches are capable and experienced.
But the English could spoil it, yeah right - slim possibility. Best team on the day wins
Well done AB’s . . . We all know that Foster had a lot of help from “Legends of the game” including the players. Schmidt and Ryan, huge! The fact that he had the humility to “accept help” is huge.
Well done Foster, a Semi Final WIN.! There are some “Huge Tactical changes, looks like Wayne Smith to me, not Foster. Yes he’s the coach but a lot of People behind the scenes.
NZRFU “what a bunch of C’s” Treating anyone how they have treated Foster”
It will be forever a “Training example for you not what to do”
I didn’t like his call to banish Razor from being at games. . “And the NZRFU saying, “Nothing to do with us”
As much as I would like to play England, I know deep down South Africa are a “tougher competitor”
It’s about earning the right. I think that a South African final with the All Blacks is the right Final.
I hope England can change my thinking. Poms are really good in tight battles. I loved the 99 call of the British Lions in SA.
They have a tenacious arrogance and grit, that’s where our genes come are from, Jesus don’t write them off and the worst part NZ still have that Union Jack as our flag.
We have seen the two best games so far in R W Cup games history.
SA V France and NZ v Ireland.
WOW ! Two have gone! Great teams just “short”
Suddenly NZ have changed 15%. Only person I can think of with that “Rugby Brain” is Wayne Smith.
All though you don’t see him, he’s always there.
The most humble man in New Zealand Rugby and that is why he is a the “Rugby Genius that is “Wayne Smith”
We can all see the All Black team that has “suffered the worst loss in “All Black History” is in the final.
I don’t think the AB’s are as “phyiscal” as as S.A .
Mind you “Thinker’s beat Jinkes”
Ritchie Mounga best 10 at the World Rugby World Cup 2023.
The best 10’s win World Cups.
Remember Johnny Wilkinson at 24. . against Australia ‘fkn Genious”
No Johnny Wilkinson in this World Cup or Dan Carter.
Ritchie Mounga will WIN this World Cup.
That’s big praise calling Fosters work Smith like.
And if you credit Foster with ask the world first loses you have to also give him credit for the success turning around the side into potential World Cup champions
How many dumb penalties can Scott B commit in a year?
Great Player! See you in the Final. SA V NZ and that’s World Rugby.
Football capital of the World, 1 World Cup 1966. .
Have to get your Top 6 Inches right guys. .
Great game Gus Gardiner. Nice and clear and didn't buy any dummies. ‘Youre holding him in, let him go’. That's what I like to see …
What’s great is that I think that wasn’t the case at the beginning of the tournament.
It really hurt Ireland’s chances when JGP blew a couple of good possessions early learning the hard way that it wasn’t going to be like that now. Full credit to WR and the panel for making the change and reading those refs games.
Agreed - the officiating was notable for not being too noticeable and Gardiner had a good one.
Taking care of business. BD but NBD.
Nervous start and not quite clinical but convincing! Well done ABs! One more huge one to go!!!
I’m chomping my fingernails already. It’s going to be a long week 😂
I think my pre-match on how NZ might play proved accurate enough. A key characteristic that should also be mentioned was the composure and calmness of NZ firstly in defence and also in attack. There will be more pressure in the final, a lot more, but you’d wonder if this ultra composure might get them the try or save them the try they need in a final.
It has to be said that Argentina butchered a try at 10-3. They were never going to win, this was a mismatch, but it could have taken more out of NZ to end the contest.
NZ needed an efficient win and in truth this was the path I hoped for Ireland (QTR win, an efficient semi win, and Fresh against a tired SA/FRA). Well NZ are on that train now. NZ further embedded their composure and they will be daisy fresh for the final. England won’t win tomorrow but they will damage. I think NZ will have real clarity on how they can win a final. That makes the upcoming week easier.
“Article (Justin Marshall issues last-minute warning for the All Blacks) is incorrect about ‘22 Rugby Championship
NZ had two heavy games against SA in SA. Lost the first in a dominant display by SA and won the second in an all out effort. They lost to Argentina two weeks later and hammered them 53:4 the following week.
That would mean primarily emotional fatigue but some physical fatigue from the mini SA tour.
That would suggest it will be very difficult to replicate the effort from the win over Ireland. I watched highlights of the Christchurch match and NZ tried to win economically but couldn’t get rid of a confident Argentina buzzing after scoring 46 against Australia in Mendoza. NZ lost the game in the breakdown essentially giving away penalties and a yellow late in that game.
The 2 week work before the Italy game where Foster implied that the ability to target and adapt to beat individual opponents had worked remarkably well. They must target Argentina’s weaknesses and pick them apart. That’s the most economical way to get dominance in the match. There will be residual fatigue, you need economy.
The NZ set piece is obviously in a very different place and Argentina’s scrum is relatively weak. Keep it simple, target the breakdown set pieces and deploy the greyhounds intelligently when the opportunity arises. They are miles ahead of 2022 and if what Foster says is true and they are excelling in quick match preparation then this will be very different.
With a little luck on their side NZ can win economically and my gut says they will need to win with some economy if they are to go on and win the World Cup. I’m still up for the Pumas.”
You lonely mate?
Quite the piece mate. We were miles off compared with last week cause we didn't need to be. Hopefully no injuries and thankfully no red cards so should be ready to empty the tank with a one day advantage against a rampant boks team
You would hope that all of Ian fosters detractors will shut up now… for quite a long while.
Haven’t you heard Mark, our Head Coach is ONLY responsible when the team loses and the Assistant Coaches responsible when they win.
Well, thats what commentators on here will have you believe.
He's a dark horse is Fozzie
No, Foster nearly ruined the All Blacks & had his arse saved by Joe Schmidt & Jase Ryan. Without the sackings which Foster barely survived, we’d never got this far. Thank God he’s on his bike after this RWC. Go the All Blacks go!
It was pretty painful as an ABs supporter last year TBH, but (to me) it always felt like we were super close to getting it right. Whatever happens next, getting to the final is fecking awesome.
WAAAAAHHHHOOOOOOOOO 🔥