All Blacks deliver La Plata masterclass

All Blacks deliver La Plata masterclass

29 Sep 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched the All Blacks clinch the inaugural Rugby Championship title with a 54-15 victory over Argentina in La Plata.

If you thought the Springboks were impressive during their 31-8 win over the Wallabies in Pretoria, the All Blacks were outstanding and reminded the rugby fraternity why they’re the No 1 team.

The world champions delivered a powerful performance and starred in all facets of play as they eased past the Pumas, scoring six tries. Wings Cory Jane and Julian Savea grabbed a hat-trick and brace respectively as New Zealand’s expansive approach was highly effective.

The continuity on attack through offloads and quick service at the tackle points were – no other nation can currently match them in this regard. The All Blacks heavies dominated the forwards battle for most parts of the match, creating the platform for the backs to run riot.

Flyhalf Dan Carter also impressed with the boot, slotting five of his eight goal attempts, while Aaron Cruden added two conversions and a penalty.

The Pumas shocked the visitors during the opening moments as they scored the first try thanks to a smart backline move. Fullback Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino ran the perfect angle as he was put into space, and he beat flank Richie McCaw and Carter to surge into the Kiwis’ red zone. A quick pop pass saw scrumhalf Martin Landajo have the speed and power to cross the chalk.

However, it was one-way traffic thereafter.

Clinical breaks from inside centre Ma’a Nonu and No 8 Kieran Read created opportunities for scrumhalf Aaron Smith and Jane respectively. Both scores came off the back of great multi-phase play.

Savea then completed a comprehensive opening 40 showing as he scored two tries in quick succession. The first came from a spilled ball during a Pumas attack, and the No 11 had the speed and skill to finish off a good kick-and-chase score. His second was a powerful strike from close range.

The All Blacks held a 37-8 advantage at half-time. Game, set and match.

Pumas wing Gonzalo Camacho scored shortly after restart, but this only proved to be consolation. New Zealand finished the game with Jane completing his hat-trick and Cruden kicking seven points.

The home crowd showed their appreciation for the entertainment on show as they gave the victors a standing ovation after the final whistle.

The All Blacks now add the Rugby Championship crown to their 10 Tri-Nations titles. They’ll head into their final tournament fixture against the Springboks with an unbeaten 2012 record.

What a game we should have between the two strongest Test powers in Soweto next Saturday.


223 Comments

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  • 1.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 00:50 am

    Abs by twenty.

  • 2.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 00:56 am

    @Te Rangatira-1:
    DRAGONS.

  • 3.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 00:57 am

    @Te Rangatira-1:
    I think about 12.

  • 4.Nils: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:03 am

    Looking forward to a good Test and inspired performance by the Pumas.

    Blacks to win, hopefully thanks to their own power than Pumas crumbling to the pressure.

  • 5.Nils: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:11 am

    That was a powerful intro, another reason to be happy for Argentina finally arriving to the party.

    And Pumas treated with the “new haka”. Nice. Leapfrogged Europeans.

  • 6.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:12 am

    Thanks Nama

  • 7.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:16 am

    @Nils-4:
    I believe the Pumas will be very positive in this game.

    Hope so.

    Your boys will have to win it, I think.

  • 8.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:16 am

    How many handling errors this time. 20?

  • 9.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:20 am

    Missed drop, Argies.

  • 10.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:21 am

    Excellent try by Arg, splitting them wide open.

  • 11.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:21 am

    Mean try

  • 12.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:21 am

    Try time argies.

    GO, Go, go……………

  • 13.Nils: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:22 am

    @nama1-7: Most certainly I do hope Blacks 1) win, 2) have to earn that very hard way.

    However, if Pumas do pull the mighty upset, I’m not going to be desparate, they are among those few teams, I have been very fond of since I started to follow rugby.

    And now they have scored! :)

  • 14.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:22 am

    Argue fb searing pace

  • 15.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:24 am

    Beautiful try. Pumas are no joke – especially at home.

  • 16.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:24 am

    COMMON ARGIEZZ!! :D

  • 17.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:26 am

    Great kick by Bosch – hard luck.

  • 18.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:27 am

    @Nils-13:
    I don’t think you have to worry boet.

    AB’s know how to absorb pressure.

    They’ll be under it for about 60 minutes.

    As I said, AB’s by 12. :lol:

    What time is it in your country now?

    09H30 Sunday morning?

  • 19.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:27 am

    Looked like Reid knocked that on WTF.!?

  • 20.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:27 am

    He did! Fking cheats!

  • 21.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:28 am

    :D

  • 22.Nils: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:29 am

    Blacks score powerfully, game on (lol).

  • 23.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:29 am

    SMITH… great support running.

    Forget about the break by Nonu…

  • 24.Nils: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:30 am

    @nama1-18: Erm.. in my country it is 2:30 AM now. In am a European. :D

  • 25.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:31 am

    Ag fk thats prob game… The Dream over all ready… Kiwis get all this momentum after a clear knock on F blind incompetant ref..

  • 26.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:32 am

    Nice break from Carter

  • 27.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:35 am

    Yep what a crock, Carter gets isolated No ruck McCheat ref give carter a f penaltie.. **** this ref shagging Sjr Richie?

  • 28.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:36 am

    Ab line speed on d not good enogh

  • 29.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:36 am

    Nice work from the blacks, good try.

  • 30.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:37 am

    @Nils-24:
    A European???

    Only Europeans I’ve ever heard about is a white tribe on the southern tip of Africa. :wink:

    People born on the continent of Europe call themselves French, Spanish, Greek, German, Italian etc but never European. :lol:

    Try time.

  • 31.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:37 am

    great run by Carter

    ABs starting to find their rhythm

  • 32.Nils: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:37 am

    Nice finish. Blacks look mean. Vamos Pumas, make a close contest!

  • 33.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:37 am

    @Guns-27:

    Looked like the guy was half off his feet while he was grabbing the ball.

  • 34.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:38 am

    Read making mince meat of a feable defencive effort.. Great offload pass.

  • 35.umfolozi: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:38 am

    Jeez how’s that Cory Jane try- they make the game look simple sometimes

  • 36.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:39 am

    @Pencil-33: did he actually move the ball? Thought it came off carter..

  • 37.Nils: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:40 am

    @nama1-30: More specifically, I am a Latvian. That’s a small country in the North Eastern part of Europe.

    Actually I like being a European (broadly speaking, as opposed to Americans, Africans, Asians etc.), not to say I am too ecstatic about the European Union but glad about living there nevertheless.

  • 38.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:41 am

    @Guns-36:

    yeah he fished it out, puledl it back with his hand.

  • 39.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:42 am

    Amateur ref

  • 40.Nils: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:44 am

    Outrageous try and, I’m afraid, that’s it. Contest killed.

  • 41.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:45 am

    Try against the run of play, Good speed displayed by Savea.

  • 42.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:45 am

    Great tackle Read …..try Savea

  • 43.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:45 am

    Vokkit, the AB’s going to run away with it.

    Good try.

  • 44.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:45 am

    Looks like he first rugby champion trophy is heading NZ’s way.

  • 45.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:46 am

    Well, that’s the game. ABs too good today.

  • 46.SHARKattack: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:46 am

    Argentina can do much Bette than this. Honestly, they just gifting abs with points.

  • 47.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:47 am

    I think the Boks will beat them in Soweto though.

  • 48.nama1: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:47 am

    @Nils-37:
    That means you are a Latvian then, not European. :lol:

    All in good spirit OK. :wink:

  • 49.Guns: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:47 am

    McCaw pumped in a beaut of a the tackle!

  • 50.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    30 Sep 2012, 01:48 am

    I think the Pumas have put in the hardest tackles in this competition.

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