Summary
A challenging few weeks for New Zealand rugby ends on a high. The Tri-Nations is all but secured with a comprehensive bonus point victory over Argentina, and only an Australian miracle next week can deny them silverware.
It was a performance set up by a muscular showing from the All Blacks pack, eager to show the unexpected defeat a fortnight ago was an aberration. The lineout was flawless, the scrum ferocious, and the breakdown relentless as black jerseys controlled territory and tempo. Savea and Ioane in particular caught the eye.
The backline was less fluent and for an hour the scoreline did not reflect New Zealand’s dominance. Time again there was poor decision making or execution from Smith, Mo’unga or an outside back. The All Blacks attempted, and failed to profit from, a large number of low percentage attacking kicks when patient rugby was perhaps a more prudent approach. But the points did come eventually, and in a rush, with Will Jordan stealing the limelight in a two-try cameo off the bench.
It was a chastening night for the much-changed Pumas. The defence was typically resolute - despite the final score - but whenever they took possession they coughed it up soon after with countless handling errors. The adrenaline and unity of purpose that carried them through two matches deserted them in game three. Their valiant tour has one more stop next week against Australia.
That’s all from me for tonight, thank you for your company. See you next weekend.
Argentina 0-38 New Zealand
Much more like it from the All Blacks. Dominant from go to whoa.
TRY! Argentina 0-38 New Zealand (Tuipulotu 80+6)
Both sides keep the ball alive way after the final siren and with tired bodies staggered across McDonald Jones Stadium Patrick Tuipulotu dances through for one final try.
Yellow Card! Lomax, 80
80 mins: Finally the scrum occurs and New Zealand run off the back but Sotutu is tackled just short of the line. The All Blacks head right but Mo’unga can’t find space out wide and is lucky to remain in touch. The ball remains alive and is recycled for a series of phases in midfield and eventually Rieko Ioane finds enough of a gap to scamper over for one final score.
Or is he? No. The referee and touch judge are not happy with some work by Lomax at an earlier clear out with the substitute diving in with a swinging arm to the head of the Argentina defender. Instead of a try it’s a yellow card to the New Zealand No.18.
79 mins: Another scrum goes down, this time with a raised arm New Zealand’s way. What do the ABs do with the advantage? A 5m scrum of course.
78 mins: The scrum is set, then reset, allowing the clock to tick over. In the background the raucous Argentina fans can be heard cheering on their side, in superb voice despite the scoreline.
76 mins: Savea leads the charge following an attacking lineout. Lomax pounds his way towards the line, then Tu’inukuafe has a pop, but the man with the Craig Stadler moustache is held up and New Zealand go back for the 5m scrum.
73 mins: The scoreline now more accurately reflects the way the game has been played tonight. After all the introspection of recent weeks the All Blacks should end the series on a high, and end the Tri-Nations as champions.
TRY! Argentina 0-31 New Zealand (Jordan 71)
And another one to Will Jordan! Argentina had space on their left if they could get the ball through hands, but Jordan was alert to the threat, stepped out of the line to intercept and clung on to the chance - just - before accelerating like an F1 car and scorching the earth en route to the right corner.
Mo’unga nails another magnificent touchline conversion.
Updated
TRY! Argentina 0-24 New Zealand (Jordan 69)
That’s the bonus point for the All Blacks. Argentina won their own lineout ball near halfway but as they spun the ball through hands from right to left the defensive line rushed up with purpose and forced a loose pass that hit the deck in front of the alert Jordan who gathers and sprints under the posts.
Mo’unga kicks the extras.
Updated
68 mins: New Zealand win their own lineout ball on halfway and run the ball for the first time in a while. Four phases of Smith feeding runners is ignited by a superb inside ball to J Barrett on the burst. There’s a sniff of a try but Argentina cling on in the tackle and a breakdown later the Pumas have the turnover.
66 mins: Caleb Clarke has gone to the bench. Another promising showing from the youngster tonight. He has the speed and skills of an outside back but the power and industry of a flanker. Serious talent.
65 mins: The lineout is secured and the forwards get to work, pummelling the short side, but yet again - and this is beyond me why - New Zealand’s playmakers run out of patience way before they needed to and Mo’unga kicks from right wing to left, only to watch the ball sail over Clarke’s head and into touch. Some very questionable decision making in attack tonight. Why the rush?
64 mins: Superb kick and chase down the right flank for New Zealand ends with Savea nailing Boffelli and inviting the All Blacks to kick for the corner.
63 mins: The game is slowing down, as you might expect in this heat, with players coming on and off at regular intervals. New Zealand are increasingly comfortable kicking for territory while Argentina are starting to run out of defence. Of course, they don’t get very far, because as soon as they look to mount a threatening attack someone drops the ball near contact. Many of these errors have been unforced but Akira Ioane has been on the scene for enough to suggest his presence is a factor.
60 mins: A rare win for Argentina at the scrum with substitute Tu’inukuafe penalised. That allows the Pumas to attack off lineout ball on halfway and go through multiple phases for the first time in an age. Guess how it ends? That’s right, loose carry without much provocation. It’s been a poor, poor night in attack for Mario Ledesma’s men.
57 mins: That attack doesn’t last long because for the umpteenth time tonight New Zealand go high to the sky and fail to come down with possession. I remain perplexed why they are persisting with this strategy, especially against a tiring defence.
55 mins: A couple of handy kicks gain Argentina some territory - they’ve had precious little of it all night. The All Blacks cover their backs and kick handily themselves to force the Pumas to attack from well inside their own half. They try, but after a couple of phases following a bomb they’re penalised at the breakdown and B Barrett turns defence into attack with a huge boot.
TRY! Argentina 0-17 New Zealand (Savea 53)
Huuuuuuuge scrum from the All Blacks against the feed, driving Argentina backwards on their 10m line, winning the penalty in the process. New Zealand’s forwards have really flexed their muscles tonight.
They kick the free ball to the corner, secure the lineout and off the back Savea FINALLY crashes through the line and dives over. After all that huffing and puffing the way home is as simple as you could get.
Mo’unga dabs over the easy extras.
Updated
51 mins: Argentina have a defensive scrum 10m from their own line, but New Zealand are all over them. When the hurried ball comes out it’s hacked clear, only to be returned with interest by the rampaging Clarke. With momentum the All Blacks execute phase after crisp phase through the left edge and a try has to come this time, surely. But it doesn’t! From the breakdown on the line Smith just has to pop it into Clarke’s hands, but for some reason double-pumps and the youngster runs ahead of the pass and knocks on. Deary me, that was the clearest butchered try of the night, but the fourth or fifth in total.
47 mins: New Zealand are scrummaging with menace and look eager for a blue collar try. The set-piece is set, then reset, then there’s a pause while Paulos and Smith have words. When Smith finally feeds Savea picks and goes off the back and reaches the line before he’s held up. The ball gets recycled to the right, then the left, but Argentina have bodies everywhere and corral the attack into touch.
A combination of flawed All Blacks attacking and superb desperate Argentina defence, has kept this scoreline interesting. On another night this would be a cricket score.
44 mins: After clearing to halfway New Zealand win lineout ball before inviting Clarke to hammer the line at pace. He draws defenders before possession is recycled for Lienert-Brown who streams clear. A try looks inevitable but the flying All Black is hauled down, then B Barrett is scragged, and despite men on the overlap the ball doesn’t reach them. At the breakdown Cane and Whitelock try to barge over but the Pumas hold firm. Eventually a penalty is conceded and New Zealand come again with a 5m scrum.
New Zealand have left plenty of points out there already.
42 mins: New Zealand make a bit of a mess of the restart with Clarke and S Barrett colliding but Mo’unga boots clear. Argentina win their own lineout then peel off the back for a beautiful move from the middle out to the right. They pierce the line again to make it just 10m out with momentum - and there’s another dreadful handling error! Gah!
41 mins: We’re back underway at McDonald Jones Stadium. Can Argentina mount a comeback?
Thank you, @AllBlacks! #DiegoEterno https://t.co/PMJ7jZGZhC
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) November 28, 2020
“Do you think the whistleblowers know how to allow the game to flow? E.g. if the ball has passed front/second rowers’ feet shouldn’t they rule that the ball is in play and get it out,” emails a frustrated Michael. “Are they judged by the assessors as having done well if they ‘ping’ every infringement?”
It is a lottery sometimes, isn’t it? If it helps, even some of the best referees are confused by it all.
“Ian Foster is a good Waikato man, as was John Mitchel. Neither have proved themselves. By admission I am a Waikato boy haling from Hamilton,” emails River. “Ian and Scott seem out of their depth. The lack of changes in this Argentina game illustrate a lack of contingency plan.”
It has been an underwhelming start to Foster’s reign. It struck me early in that opening draw against the Wallabies that the strategy was so kick-focussed, as if he was too preoccupied with the opposition instead of saying “we’re the All Blacks, can you match it with us?” That loss of aura has continued throughout the Tri-Nations.
Half-time: Argentina 0-10 New Zealand
New Zealand regroup quickly following Mo’unga’s blunder and Clarke breaks the line with his massive legs pumping through would-be tacklers. A penalty advantage is called but the All Blacks keep going through the phases on the right wing and by the time they need the referee’s help the advantage is over. Argentina hack clear and the race is on to capture the loose ball as it bobbles beyond halfway. It lands in Kiwi hands and half-time is called.
The All Blacks are ten points to the good. The margin should be more.
39 mins: Mo’unga smashes the 25m penalty from almost dead in front into the left-hand upright! Huge let-off for Argentina.
39 mins: Argentina’s clearing kick is weak inviting yet another All Blacks attacking set-piece. The lineout is solid, as is the resulting drive, and as they break to spread their wings a penalty advantage is called, and soon accepted.
38 mins: The All Blacks reload and after a couple of slow phases go aerially again, and for the umpteenth time the ball comes down Argentina’s way. It looks from afar as though a little more patience and a little less bombing would benefit New Zealand in attack.
36 mins: The attacking lineout set-piece is executed perfectly but B Barrett can’t pierce the defensive line on the left wing. New Zealand keep the ball alive and are happy to go through the phases, working the ball one way then the other around the 22. They’re lucky to survive a scrubby pass out to Coles on the right touchline but they regather and head beyond the tenth phase. Argentina remain disciplined in defence, forcing the ABs into more expansive rugby with cutout passes and finally a chip and chase from Mo’unga, but Moyano is in the right place at the right time and clears. The Pumas are superb defensively.
34 mins: New Zealand steal the Argentina lineout on halfway and Savea’s run soon earns an advantage. Mo’unga kicks the penalty to the 22.
31 mins: Argentina are rising to the task and their pack matches New Zealand’s for a change, establishing perfect field position 20m out with a surging maul. The ball is hidden for an age but as soon as it’s released Excurra throws a dreadful pass that is knocked on. After such a flawless display a fortnight ago the Pumas are riddled with errors tonight.
30 mins: The All Blacks scrum powerfully again and Mo’unga crosses the gain line and then some with sone straight-line running. There’s no patience to go through the phases in midfield though with the bomb going up to the right wing but it lands Argentina’s way and the quick counter is on but Jeronimo de la Fuente is tackled a fraction after he kicks forward so he’s unable to chase and New Zealand clear.
28 mins: The second time tonight that the Pumas have strung a couple of phases together around halfway ends the same way as the first, with a simple dropped ball.
27 mins: Argentina have had negative go-forward so far tonight. New Zealand’s defensive pressure, particularly kick-chase, has been suffocating.
25 mins: That scrum is another massive win for New Zealand and as they drive forward the ball comes out on the short side, the right. When it’s returned inside Mo’unga skips through the defensive line and has the game at his mercy. He looks left where Clarke has space and floats a long loopy pass to the youngster. The journey the ball has to take is long enough for Pumas defenders to come around and cover, forcing Clarke wide, and by the time he’s darted around the outside and dived for the corner he’s adjudged to have stepped on the whitewash. Close call.
Updated
23 mins: New Zealand fail to make much ground through the middle so Mo’unga goes for another bomb. J Barrett goes up to claim in but it comes down Argentina’s way. Sanchez tries to exploit the vacant space in the left corner but the ball rolls agonisingly the wrong side of the corner flag and instead of the Pumas deep in attack New Zealand have a scrum feed on halfway.
21 mins: Argentina scrum powerfully at the first attempt but the set-piece crumbles and a reset is called. The All Blacks then shove with huge force at the second feed, pushing the Pumas backward and are rewarded with a clearing penalty.
19 mins: The Argentina restart is phenomenal, bouncing into touch near the right corner. New Zealand execute a solid defensive lineout and set up a strong maul that looks to be rolling them out of trouble, but the Pumas regroup, get hands on the ball in contact, and earn a scrum feed 10m out.
Penalty! Argentina 0-10 New Zealand (Mo'unga 17)
Finally Argentina get theirs hands on the ball in New Zealand territory, securing lineout ball then driving through the middle - but a couple of phases in they drop a simple pass and the All Blacks flood forward like horror movie villains. A superb kick into the left corner sends the Pumas skidding backwards on their heels and in no time there’s a turnover. Again there’s space in the right corner to exploit and B Barrett kicks in that direction but it’s a tad heavy and J Barrett can’t complete the mark that would have led to a certain try.
Not to worry. The referee brings the game back to an earlier infringement and Mo’unga dabs over a simple three-pointer from under the posts.
TRY! Argentina 0-7 New Zealand (Coles 12)
And finally the weight of possession and pressure tells. A series of marginal gains through the middle and left looked to be going nowhere, but they created enough space on the right wing to exploit and Mo’unga did that superbly with a lofted cutout pass that found Dane Coles sharking on the sideline eager to scamper over in the corner.
Mo’unga curls over a gorgeous conversion to consolidate the early score and settle any All Blacks nerves.
Updated
12 mins: New Zealand apply massive pressure to the scrum and quickly suffocate Argentina as they try to escape their line. A desperate kick hands over possession near the 22 and the All Blacks resume their assault on the impenetrable defensive line.
10 mins: The All Blacks are soon back on the attack though, securing another promising lineout and setting up base camp on Argentina’s 22. Five phases don’t threaten much - Argentina’s defence is incredible - so Mo’unga goes to his boot again, this time lofting a pitching wedge towards the posts. A pack of bodies leaps in the air, the ball lands in B Barrett’s hands and there’s a chance of a try. Replays quickly reveal that is a slim chance, but the outcome is a 5m scrum to the Pumas.
7 mins: Another kicking exchange ends with a New Zealand lineout 10m inside Argentina’s half. It’s executed to perfection and a rumbling series of phases sends the All Blacks down the right. They head inside after six phases but Argentina’s defensive line is strong. The attack refocuses on the left edge but still the Pumas are disciplined. Eventually Mo’unga attempts an NRL-style crossfield kick, but it’s too flat and a little heavy and no sooner is it caught by J Barrett than the winger is dumped into touch.
6 mins: From 45m out on a slight angle J Barrett slides his penalty effort to the right.
4 mins: That first lineout is a shocker, way too long and fading offline gifting a midfield scrum to the All Blacks. Par for the course, the set-piece is set, then reset, then a penalty advantage is offered to New Zealand. Clarke tries to use the benefit to bullock his way through the Argentina line but he makes no ground and play comes back for the kick for goal.
2 mins: Argentina accept the kick-off and after a couple of blunt drives they kick downfield. Clarke runs it back over halfway and New Zealand take a couple of phases before B Barrett tries to chip and chase over the line. The Pumas defend safely enough, precipitating a kicking exchange that ends with an Argentina lineout just inside their own half.
Kick-off!
We’re underway in New South Wales...
Prematch formalities taken care of, it’s time for some very very hot rugby.
Updated
Before the haka Sam Cane placed a signed All Blacks jersey, with No.10 Maradona on the back, in the middle of the pitch.
All Blacks tribute to Maradona really special #ARGvNZL
— Ed Wyatt (@edwyatt) November 28, 2020
cc: @MaxBretosSports pic.twitter.com/D0hLTHvyEe
Updated
The anthems were typically bombastic and brilliant. Does any sport do them better than rugby?
And they’re closely followed by Argentina in a blue and white kit of great beauty. The jersey has a collar and buttons, and the men mountains stuffed inside them are wearing them like high-schoolers awaiting detention.
Out come New Zealand, top to toe in black like the burliest The Cure fan club.
Here we go! 🔥
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 28, 2020
📺 Watch live on @skysportnz #ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/RhobpqRfK5
Updated
To give you an idea just how hot it is in Newcastle today, look at the state of the All Blacks’ training jerseys as they jog off after their warm up.
To the sheds. It’s almost go time!#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/c7rl47ETGd
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 28, 2020
There are plenty of No.10 Argentina jerseys in Newcastle tonight, in honour of Diego Maradona, the country’s transcendent footballer who died earlier this week. It will be an emotional night for the Pumas and their fans.
Welcome to the latest edition of the sporting seasonal disorientation experiment with a touch of national mourning. #ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/xilQcMfaEB
— Hamish Neal (@hamishneal) November 28, 2020
This is a fascinating feature interview with referee Nigel Owens ahead of his 100th Test. Among the nuggets offered by the Welsh whistle blower is this gem on the challenge of officiating a sport with such byzantine laws in an age of TV reviews.
So much of rugby is a grey area. You’ve got to use your experience, empathy and interpretation to decide whether that whistle needs to get blown or not. The way the game is going it’s becoming unreffable in a sense because every decision is being looked at. We need to get back to the referee actually reffing the game and relying less on the TMO.
You don’t need me to tell you that things are not going according to plan for New Zealand rugby at the moment. An early World Cup exit followed by a poor run of form for the All Blacks has focussed attention on the game’s decision makers. As Matt McIlraith writes, Ian Foster’s role should already be under threat, while the suits who overlooked Scott Robertson’s claims to replace Steve Hansen should not be sitting comfortably either.
The national calamity – feared, if largely unspoken about, since the underwhelming appointment of Steve Hansen’s former assistant late last year – has become a reality.
We are in for one of the hottest Test matches in history this evening with Newcastle sweltering through a late Spring heatwave. Temperatures have hovered around the 40C mark for much of the day and despite sundown providing some respite the mercury will remain around 30C for most of the contest.
To make matters worse there is a not insignificant northerly breeze.
Do not expect a high-intensity 80 minutes.
All Blacks XV
Despite facing intense scrutiny following consecutive defeats, Ian Foster is standing his ground with regards team selection. There are just three changes from the side outplayed by Argentina a fortnight ago with Akira Ioane replacing Shannon Frizell at blindside flanker, lock Scott Barrett coming in for Patrick Tuipulotua, and Nepo Laulala swapping his place on the bench with tighthead Tyrel Lomax.
“There’s a real determination in the team to perform well, not only for ourselves, but also our families and friends at home and our country,” Foster said.
Joe Moody lines up for his 50th cap.
Your final team of 2020 😤
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 26, 2020
READ MORE ➡️ https://t.co/FKhCRnAGpD#TriNations pic.twitter.com/TSRctLh2QY
Argentina XV
Los Pumas are much changed, and it’s little surprise after delivering two huge performances in a row following a year’s lay-off. Only five players remain from last week’s draw with the Wallabies, but they are Mario Ledesma’s big five: points machine Nicolás Sánchez, inspirational captain Pablo Matera, back row destroyer Marcos Kremer, lineout monster Guido Petti and hooker Julian Montoya, who excelled against New Zealand a fortnight ago.
It would be an incredible statement of the depth of Argentinian rugby if this XV can keep pace with an All Blacks outfit hell-bent on revenge.
¡Equipo confirmado para el sábado! Estos serán los 23 jugadores que saldrán a la cancha ante @AllBlacks por el tercer partido del #PersonalTriNations. #VamosLosPumas #VamosArgentina pic.twitter.com/2sQ0qQuVSv
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) November 26, 2020
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Argentina v New Zealand on matchday five of the 2020 Tri-Nations series. Kick-off at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle is at 7.45pm local time.
A fortnight since the high-water mark of South American rugby Los Pumas are back to prove they are no one-hit wonders against the All Blacks. But with a much changed squad and an opponent desperate for revenge, tonight’s prospect is a daunting one.
It has been a rough month or so for the All Blacks, and coach Ian Foster especially, after suffering back-to-back defeats to the Wallabies and then Argentina. Victory is the least a restless supporter base expects but anything less than a comprehensive thrashing will do little to quieten the discontent that has built up since the 2019 World Cup favourites bowed out in the semi-finals 13 months ago. If New Zealand contrive to lose three in a row for the first time since 1998 there is a risk the Shaky Isles might convulse free of their moorings and drift off into the South Pacific.
The clash at a sweltering McDonald Jones Stadium in New South Wales is the penultimate fixture the hastily arranged Tri-Nations series. With two matches to go all three teams are level on six points apiece with the All Blacks topping the standings courtesy of points difference.
I’ll be back in a short while with line-ups and whatnot. If you want to get in touch at any point, you can reach me on Twitter or email.
