Rugby Championship Spherical 2: All Blacks safe complete win vs Argentina at Eden Park in Auckland, scoring six tries; win comes every week after New Zealand suffered shock defeat to Pumas in Wellington
Final Up to date: 17/08/24 11:52am
Will Jordan scored twice as New Zealand put Argentina to the sword at Eden Park
New Zealand rode a first-half strive blitz to a 42-10 victory over Argentina within the Rugby Championship at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday, reside on Sky Sports activities, avenging final week’s shock loss to the Pumas in Wellington.
Damian McKenzie, skipper Ardie Savea, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett all crossed to offer the All Blacks a 35-3 lead at half-time regardless of teeming rain and powerful winds on the non secular dwelling of New Zealand rugby.
Jordan added his second strive quickly after the break to drive dwelling the benefit however the Pumas managed to stem the flood of tries earlier than scoring considered one of their very own by Juan Cruz Mallia within the 72nd minute.
Fly-half McKenzie transformed all six All Blacks tries with an ideal night time from the kicking tee as New Zealand prolonged their 30-year unbeaten run at Eden Park to 50 exams.
“Very happy to get the win and respond the way we did,” mentioned New Zealand captain Savea.
“We’re the All Blacks, we’ve got to bring that every week and not rely on a loss to get that response from us.”
The All Blacks had clearly discovered the teachings of final week’s 38-30 defeat and took a noticeable step up in precision, execution, recreation administration and physicality in troublesome circumstances.
Argentina’s rush defence was unpicked by a Jordie Barrett chip that despatched McKenzie over for the primary strive within the sixth minute and No 8 Savea barged over for the second 11 minutes later.
A sensible interception by lock Tupou Vaa’i laid the groundwork for winger Clarke’s rating within the twenty fourth minute, earlier than an excellent offload from scrumhalf TJ Perenara despatched Jordan in for his first strive on the half-hour mark.
There was nonetheless time for Barrett to run an outstanding line and minimize by the defence on a McKenzie cross for the fifth strive which despatched the Pumas into the break 32 factors down, with solely a Santiago Carreras penalty on the board.
The electrical Jordan, making his first begin of the season after getting back from harm, pressured his means over the road for his thirty third strive in 33 internationals shortly after the resumption.
Argentina then examined the New Zealand try-line defence by a number of phases, however alternative prop Joel Sclavi knocked on within the technique of touching down for what would have been their opening strive.
Full-back Mallia lastly received the Pumas over the road below the posts eight minutes from time and alternative New Zealand hooker Asafo Aumua was proven a yellow card to go away the house aspect short-handed for the final 4 minutes.
“We weren’t good enough this week, we need to be more consistent, week in, week out,” Argentina captain Julian Montoya mentioned.
“I’m proud of team that we went to look for the game until the last minute. But against this team, you can’t give them one half.”
What’s subsequent?
New Zealand subsequent journey to face world No 1 ranked South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday August 31, reside on Sky Sports activities (4pm kick-off).
Argentina host Australia in spherical three of the Rugby Championship, additionally on Saturday August 31, reside on Sky Sports activities (11pm kick-off).
Sky Sports activities+ has formally launched and can be built-in into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities clients entry to over 50 per cent extra reside sport this yr at no further price. Discover out extra right here.
