All Blacks Secure Bonus-Point Win Over Argentina in thrilling Rugby Championship Match
Table of Contents
Córdoba, Argentina – The All Blacks overcame a determined second-half surge from Argentina to claim a 41-24 victory in their Rugby Championship opener at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes on Saturday. The match highlighted New Zealand’s potent attacking prowess and ability to withstand pressure, while also revealing Argentina’s growing competitiveness on home soil.
First-Half Dominance Sets the Tone
New Zealand established a commanding lead in the first half, capitalizing on early opportunities and demonstrating clinical finishing. Beauden Barrett opened the scoring with a 40-meter penalty after a late hit on the playmaker. Argentina quickly responded, but a missed penalty by Tomas Albornoz kept the score at 3-0.
Sevu Reece then crossed for the first try of the match,following a well-executed attack initiated by a dominant counter-ruck from Billy Proctor. Barrett’s successful conversion extended the All Blacks’ lead to 10-0 within the first ten minutes. Rodrigo Isgro answered for Argentina,scoring in the corner after a period of sustained pressure,narrowing the gap to 10-7.
A yellow card issued to Argentinian prop Mayco Vivas for repeated infringements provided the All Blacks with a power play. Despite a strong defensive effort from the home side, including a significant tackle by Pablo Matera on Rieko Ioane, New Zealand extended their advantage. Will Jordan’s dynamic run and assist to Cortez Ratima resulted in another try, pushing the score to 17-7.
Further penalties allowed Barrett to add three points, and then tries from Ardie Savea and a second from Reece, both stemming from effective rolling mauls, completed a dominant first half for the All Blacks, leading 31-10 at the interval.
Argentinian Fightback and All blacks Resilience
Argentina emerged from the break with renewed vigor, instantly applying pressure and earning a penalty.Joaquin Oviedo’s strong run and subsequent try, converted by albornoz, ignited a comeback, reducing the deficit to 31-17. The Pumas continued to press, earning a series of penalties that led to another try for Oviedo, bringing the score to within seven points at 31-24.
The All Blacks responded with their own set-piece strength, securing a penalty try through Samisoni Taukei’aho, restoring a 12-point lead at 36-24. Taukei’aho then added his second try of the match, again from a powerful rolling maul, sealing the victory for New Zealand at 41-24.
Despite a late yellow card for Anton Lienert-Brown, the all Blacks’ defense held firm, preventing Argentina from mounting a final challenge.
Did You Know? The All Blacks have a historically dominant record against Argentina, with this win adding to their impressive head-to-head statistics.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | All Blacks | Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| Tries | 5 | 2 |
| Conversions | 5/5 | 2/2 |
| Penalties | 1 | 0 |
| Final Score | 41 | 24 |
Pro Tip: effective use of the rolling maul proved crucial for the All Blacks, yielding three of their five tries and demonstrating a strategic advantage in forward play.
This victory marks a strong start to the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship campaign, positioning them at the top of the standings after the Wallabies’ upset win over the Springboks. What adjustments do you think Argentina needs to make to consistently challenge the top teams in the Rugby Championship?
The All Blacks’ ability to capitalize on Argentinian errors and maintain composure under pressure ultimately proved decisive. Their performance underscores their status as a leading force in international rugby.
The All Blacks and Argentina: A Historical Rivalry
The rivalry between the All Blacks and Argentina, known as the Pumas, dates back to 1980. New Zealand has consistently dominated the fixture, but Argentina has shown increasing competitiveness in recent years, notably on home soil. This match continues a narrative of evolving challenges and strategic adaptations within the Rugby Championship.The All Blacks’ consistent success is often attributed to their rigorous training regime and emphasis on adaptable game plans, as detailed in studies on high-performance sports psychology (Smith et al., 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the final score of the All Blacks vs. Argentina match? The All Blacks won 41-24.
- Who scored the most tries for the All Blacks? Samisoni Taukei’aho scored two tries.
- Where was the match played? The match was played at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, Argentina.
- What impact did the yellow cards have on the game? The yellow cards provided opportunities for both teams, but ultimately the All Blacks were better able to capitalize.
- What is the significance of this win for the All Blacks? This win gives the All Blacks a strong start to their Rugby Championship campaign and puts them at the top of the standings.
Enjoyed this article? share it with fellow rugby fans, leave a comment below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more in-depth coverage of the Rugby championship and international rugby news!
