Pumas Come Unstuck in Final Quarter in New Plymouth

Pumas came unstuck in the Final Quarter, losing 39-22 this morning in New Plymouth. New Zealand’s victory was by 6 tries to 1 and ensured the All Blacks collected a bonus point.

The final score indicates that New Zealand was the much better team. While the All Blacks did play the better rugby the home side had to come back from a deficit to overtake and defeat Argentina.

At half time Argentina was leading. Los Pumas had a 16-15 lead. It was on the back of a late try to Nicolás Sánchez. The fly half scored from an All Blacks mistake. A short line-up failed with Argentina gathering and moving within inches of the line. Recycling saw Sánchez getting past Damian McKenzie to score.

Second half penalties to Sánchez and Emiliano Boffelli increased the advantage to 22-15. Argentina, however, would not add additional points. Instead New Zealand dominated the final quarter to outclass Argentina.

The win was by 17 points but could have been by more. The goal-kicking from fly half Beauden Barrett was erratic. He failed to convert all three of his team’s three first half tries. Woes continued into the second half. With it New Zealand needed to injection of Lima Sopoaga to change their fortunes.

New Zealand’s first half tries were well executed. The home side targeted and exposed Argentine weaknesses. The first came from a break from fullback Damian McKenzie. He linked with Nehe Milner-Skudder to open the scoring.

Sánchez responded to get Argentina on the board. His penalty, tough would be quickly erased as center Anton Lienert-Brown crossed for New Zealand’s second. It came from a kick in behind the defense from close range.

Continuing his record of scoring points in all test matches, Boffelli got on the board. His penalty from inside his own half made it 10-6 to New Zealand.

Argentina looked to attack but New Zealand’s quick, rush defense had them unable to break ground. Sánchez ran play well in this regard, going into the box to land a drop-goal. With it New Zealand’s lead was cut to one point.

While Argentina did not seriously look like scoring, New Zealand had no such problem. The All Blacks’ third try came from Israel Dagg. The outside back was able to score despite picking up a sloppy pass. Beauden Barrett’s poor kicking meant it was 15-9.

Sánchez’ try came in response, giving Argentina a 16-15 lead at half time. Argentina was also next to score, Boffelli landing another long-range penalty. The seven point lead gave Los Pumas hope yet with New Zealand going into overdrive and Argentina’s playing showing wear-and-tear it was short lived.

The Tongan born and raised Vaea Fifita would be the prime destroyer. The flanker out sprinted Pumas backs to score a try and then linked with McKenzie to put the fullback over. With it New Zealand had gone 29-22 ahead in rapid-fire time. A sixth try followed with Beauden Barrett scoring.

The result sees the All Blacks retaining their impressive undefeated record against Los Pumas. Argentina’s best outcome was a 21-21 draw in Buenos Aires in 1985.

The teams will meet again in round five of the Rugby Championship. Set to be played in Buenos Aires on September 30. Before then New Zealand host South Africa and Argentina play away to Australia. Both matches are to be played on Saturday September 16.

SCORING

NEW ZEALAND 39
Tries – N. Milner-Skudder, A. Lienert-Brown, I. Dagg, V. Fifita, D. McKenzie, B. Barrett
Cons – L. Sopoaga 3
Pens – L. Sopoaga

ARGENTINA 22
Tries – N. Sánchez
Cons – N. Sánchez
Pens – N. Sanchez 2, E. Boffelli 2
Drop goals – N. Sánchez

 

TEAMS

NEW ZEALAND
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (Capt.), 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Vaea Fifita, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody

Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Ngani Laumape

ARGENTINA
15 Joaquin Tuculet, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matías Moroni, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Tomás Cubelli, 8 Benjamín Macome, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2 Agustín Creevy (Capt.), 1 Lucas Noguera Paz

Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Santiago García Botta, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Tomás Lezana, 21 Martín Landajo, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Matías Orlando

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Angus Gardner (ARU)
Assistants: Nigel Owens (WRU) & Matthew Carley (RFU)
TMO: George Ayoub (ARU)