New Zealand crushes Argentina in the Rugby Championship

As far as the French XI will face the All Blacks on September 8 in Saint-Denis in the World Cup opener, all eyes were on Mendoza. Indeed, it was at the foot of the Andes that New Zealand opened its rugby tournament on Saturday. And if observers noted the alarming decline in New Zealand rugby for a year, Sam Cane’s teammates’ performance against the Pumas (12-41) undoubtedly removed some doubts.

After letting the Argentines throw themselves first into the fray and missing some balls, the All Blacks launched their own attack, but in a much more subtle and precise manner. In their first attack, they collectively put speedy hooker Dan Cole into orbit (fifth), before Arde Savea (ninth) and then Jordie Barrett (twelfth) in that first quarter of the hour sealed the fate of a match that sadly passed by in suspense. very quickly on one side.

Vibrant, inspiring, accurate, doubling the supports and assists, the New Zealanders added two tries to the board before the break and signed Rico Ewan (29) and Aaron Smith (39) after he managed to block the Argentina highlights between the 20th and 25th minute. Reduced to fourteen (yellow card against Rodrigo Bruni in the 39th anti-play) and taking advantage of the Kiwi’s relaxation, Pumas salvaged the honor in the 52nd minute through solid right-hand support Lucio Sordoni, in strength and rushing with a strike.

New Zealand’s reaction was immediate: thanks to a double pass, Damien McKenzie – with better hand than foot (3/7) – broke through the full field to serve full-back Bowden Barrett, authored into the corner with his 42nd try. Clearly trailing in the score (5-36), the Argentines did not give up and scored their second try (80) by Agustin Crevi against the All Blacks who had before that planted his seventh try (76).