WELLINGTON – New Zealand proved too strong for Argentina in the first game of the Rugby Championship with a 39-18 win in front of a full house in Christchurch on Friday.
Clocking in a much improved performance since nearly being rolled over by a valiant Samoa in Apia almost a fortnight ago, the All Blacks were stoic in defence, calm in attack and made most of their opportunities in an entertaining first half.
With Israel Dagg back to somewhere near what most people believe he can produce as well as Dan Carter and Kieran Read directing play, New Zealand looked to punish the Pumas for their poor ball retention and their inconsistency at the set piece.
At one stage, the All Blacks looked certain to put 50 points on Argentina after Charles Piutau and then Kieran Read went over in quick succession shortly after the second half resumed, however, the home team then took their foot off the pedal and let the South Americans in the match.
A lot of credit needs to go to the way Argentina fought their way back into the match after finding that they could make inroads if they retained the ball. A couple of 7+ phase sequences followed by some ill discipline by the All Blacks and captain Agustin Creevy eased over for a try in the corner from a resulting maul. Six minutes later and Creevy burrowed over again from a maul to make New Zealand really sweat it at 31-18 with 19 minutes to go.
Regular programming resumed however and All Black debutant hooker Codie Taylor scored his first test try to seal the deal with eight minutes remaining. Despite Argentina playing some decent periods of rugby, few people were going to ruin Dan Carter and Richie McCaw’s last international at their home ground.
