Will Jordan scored a hat-trick of tries as New Zealand outclassed Argentina 44-6 on Friday to arrange a Rugby World Cup last towards the winner of the second semi-final between England and defending champions South Africa.
The end result at a wet Stade de France noticed the All Blacks turn into the primary group to succeed in the ultimate of a World Cup on 5 events.
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The three-time champions, who beat Ireland in an exciting quarter-final final week, outscored Los Pumas by seven tries to none, mixing some doughty early defence with front-foot flamboyance in assault.
History was on New Zealand’s aspect coming into the match, the All Blacks having gained 33 of the 36 earlier encounters between the 2 sides with Los Pumas claiming two victories, with one match drawn.
And though it was Emiliano Boffelli who opened the scoring for Argentina with a fifth-minute penalty, it was not lengthy earlier than New Zealand’s dominance shone by way of.
The All Blacks spurned their first probability of a kick at aim, as a substitute going to the nook for an attacking line-out and after a sequence of pick-and-drives, a protracted Richie Mo’unga cut-out move discovered Jordan and the winger crossed for a straightforward strive that the fly-half transformed.
As forwards linked impeccably with backs, Jordan then turned supplier, drawing within the last defender simply sufficient to permit Jordie Barrett a line into the nook for New Zealand’s second strive.
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Although they pinched a few All Black line-outs, Los Pumas seemed more and more ragged across the breakdown and persistently misplaced territory by way of their ill-discipline on the ruck.
Boffelli grabbed his second penalty after a uncommon present of Argentinian stress, however Juan Martin Gonzalez handed the benefit straight again after taking out Jordan below a excessive ball and Mo’unga slotted the penalty.
Mark Tele’a confirmed why All Blacks coach Ian Foster had recalled him rather than Leicester Fainga’anuku after serving a one-match suspension for a breach of group protocol, the winger jinking his means by way of 4 defenders in the direction of the road.
The ball was labored left by Aaron Smith to seek out Frizzell unmarked on the wing, the excellent flanker crossing for the All Blacks’ third strive.
Mo’unga’s conversion got here again off the submit, however at 20-6 at half-time it felt as if the sport was all however over as a contest.
That was confirmed simply two minutes into the second interval as Smith sniped over for a basic scrum-half’s opportunistic strive, Mo’unga kicking the extras.
A streaking break by the fly-half then arrange the All Blacks deep in Argentine territory and with Tele’a proving a handful, Frizzell confirmed unbelievable power to muscle his means over for his second strive.
A raft of replacements disrupted the rhythm of the sport, however Tele’a was available to attract in three defenders as New Zealand ran by way of the phases, leaving Finlay Christie to feed Jordan for his second five-pointer.
Scott Barrett noticed yellow for needlessly taking part in the ball in a ruck, however Jordan was available to complete off his personal chip-and-chase for a 3rd try to his eighth at World Cups to attract stage with Jonah Lomu, Julian Savea and Bryan Habana.
Argentina hung in there, nevertheless, and at the very least averted the ignominy of struggling the best margin of defeat in a World Cup semi-final, the All Blacks having overwhelmed Wales 49-6 in 1987.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au