Check out the All Blacks player ratings vs Argentina from the 2023 Rugby World Cup Semi-Final as New Zealand advanced in Paris.
New Zealand will have a shot at winning a record fourth Rugby World Cup after a comprehensive seven-try win over Argentina at Stade de France booked their place in next Saturday’s final against England or South Africa.
Los Pumas led with an early Emiliano Boffelli penalty but two tries in the space of five minutes from Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett put the All Blacks in command.
A third from Shannon Frizzell with the last move of the half and Aaron Smith’s sniping individual score early in the second half took them further clear.
Frizzell grabbed his second and Jordan completed his hat-trick to move him level with Jonah Lomu (1999), Bryan Habana (2007) and Julian Savea (2015) with a record eighth try in a single Rugby World Cup to seal the All Blacks’ place in a fifth final.
Scroll down for the All Blacks player ratings vs Argentina:
SCORERS:
Argentina: 6
- Tries:
- Cons:
- Pens: Emiliano Boffelli (5′, 31′)
New Zealand: 44
- Tries: Will Jordan (11′, 62′, 73′), Jordie Barrett (16′), Shannon Frizell (42′, 49′), Aaron Smith (42′)
- Cons: Richie Mo’unga (12′, 43′, 50′)
- Pens: Richie Mo’unga (31′)
GAMES STATS:
Most points: Will Jordan – 15
Metres: Richie Mo’unga – 99
Clean breaks: Will Jordan – 3
Defenders beaten: Mark Tele’a – 12
Tackles: Jordie Barrett – 18
Tackles missed: Shannon Frizzel – 3
Turnovers won: Sam Cane – 2
All Blacks player ratings vs Argentina:
1 Ethan de Groot -7
Constant presence at the breakdown, it looked like more than just De Groot were wearing the number one jersey. A key pillar in the All Blacks line-out success, and drove powerfully in the subsequent mauls.
Hard work off the ball, De Groot won a key scrum penalty at 40 minutes as he bossed Gomez Kodela onto the back-foot. Beauden Barrett set the ball down-field, which eventually resulted in Frizzell’s try. Dominated the scrum in the early second half, which enabled Aaron Smith to find space for his solo score. (Tamaiti Williams 55’).
2 Codie Taylor – 6.5
Strong opening line-outs, as the All Blacks failed to miss a beat. Metronomic throw-catch collaboration with Sam Whitelock and Ardie Savea. Pushing the rolling maul along, as the Pumas were repeatedly forced onto the back-foot. Overthrew one line-out which was a rare sight of his World Cup campaign. (Samisoni Taukei’aho 50’).
3 Tyrel Lomax – 6
Gave away the first penalty of the match, as he hit a player without the ball after just four minutes. Crashing up for the hard yards, and adapted well in the scrum after a talking to by the referee, to match the height of Gallo. Dominated the early scrum with De Groot for Smith’s try, and was inches away from scoring himself in his 47th minute drive. (Fletcher Newell 55’).
4 Samuel Whitelock – 7
The veteran led his side to consistent line-out successes, despite having pressure on him in the air. Excellent prowess to set-up the All Blacks’ powerful rolling mauls, and pulled key passes to set up try-scoring opportunities.
One such wrap-around pass led to Will Jordan’s opening score, with a similar move repeated in Jordie Barrett’s first half try. Stole the ball in the air, flawless when in flight. (Brodie Retallick 60’).
5 Scott Barrett – 6
So competitive at the breakdown, sometimes too much so. Gave away a penalty for his hit on the scrum-half, despite protesting his innocence in an on-field position. Consistently made the short drives, and provided a strong wavelength in the line-out with Codie Taylor. Sent to the sin bin for a senseless offence, as he slapped down the ball illegally at the back of the breakdown. Had a reduced impact after his time-out, as the match was already won.