Blacks crush Argentina, Australia sweeps South Africa

The Blacks take revenge. After losing to Argentina a week ago in their first Rugby Championship match, the New Zealanders crushed the Pumas (42-10). The All Blacks are making amends for the 38-30 defeat they suffered in Wellington last Saturday: they now have 36 wins against three defeats to Argentina in 39 meetings between the two selections.

Coach Scott Robertson gave his attackers a chance to “redeem” themselves before the match, and they fully repaid his trust. Argentina dominated the game, and coach Felipe Contepomi's players multiplied their mistakes from the start.

The All Blacks dominated all sectors of the first half, which ended 35-3, and were also able to rely on the quality of the first half, Damian McKenzie, who scored 17 points including the first try, after following up a play at the foot of Jordie Barrett. Santiago Carreras responded with a shy penalty for the Pumas before captain Ardie Savea scored his 27th international try.

The 30-year-old equalled former captain Richie McCaw in the number of tries scored by an All Blacks forward. After being dropped to the bench, third-row Sam Keane won his 96th cap, twelve years after his first, as he plans to retire from international football to play in Japan at the end of the year.

The visitors' only attempt came late in the game through fullback Juan Cruz Mallia, allowing the Pumas to restore their lead in the second half, which ended 7-7, thanks to a tight defence at the end. It was New Zealand's best performance under their new coach, in his fifth match in charge of the three-time world champions.

South Africa beat Australia (30-12)

Facing a resurgent South African team, the Wallabies lost again on Saturday in Perth (30-12), on the second day of the Rugby Championship, in which Australia is in last place.

After last week's 33-7 thrashing of the Springboks in Brisbane, Joe Schmidt's men have not looked more convincing, despite Rassie Erasmus making ten changes to the world champions' starting line-up from South to South.

In heavy rain in Perth, and in a very close game with numerous handballs, the Australians squandered a chance to take the lead in the second half, with Noah Lolesio missing a penalty.
Trailing 11-9, the Wallabies were overwhelmed in the second half by the South Africans' attacking prowess, conceding three strong efforts from Marco van Staden (43) and Malcolm Marks (63, 73).

In last place in the Rugby Championship with no points, the Australians travel to Argentina on September 1 for Day 3. South Africa lead the standings (10 points) ahead of hosting New Zealand on August 31.