6 Shannon Frizell – 7.5
Quick over the ball in defence, as he stole possession with a 22nd minute turnover. Had a tough day against his opposite man Kremer, who flew in with hits on the back-rower. Put his slow first half to bed with a simple try before the break. Re-started the All Blacks’ account with his second try eight minutes after half-time, as he muscled over the line from close range. Too much power for a battered Argentina.
7 Sam Cane (c) – 8
The All Blacks captain began the match with a big turnover after six minutes, and made some strong chop tackles on the fired up Argentine carriers. Cane’s relentless tackling slowed down the blue and white bombardment, and made a key turnover on the 14th minute. Cane cleared two men out the breakdown, and enabled the space for Frizzell to make his 22nd minute turnover. The captain put his head on the line, and left the pitch bloodied after a physical run out. (Dalton Papali’i 65’).
8 Ardie Savea -7
Smashed up the short yards, and always looking for turnovers after his starring quarter-final performance against Ireland. Savea had a slower game than he did last weekend, given that the quality of the opposition dropped in the latter stages. Regardless, the back-row was a workhorse in defence, and battled for each and every yard with the ball in hand. Provided a nice draw and pass to send Will Jordan through a gap, before the winger took off for his third try.
9 Aaron Smith – 7
Distributed the All Blacks’ relentless attack with direct quick ball. Changed direction of attack nicely to bring in the props and locks for short drives. Smart box kicks into unmarked back-field space caught the Argentine defence napping on occasion. Gave big cheers when Argentina made mistakes, with one ‘whoop’ heard on the referee’s microphone and around the stadium, which returned a chorus of boos. Took centre stage with a stunning solo try just after the half-time break, as he stepped past two defenders and sold the dummy on the way to the line. (Finlay Christie 55’).
10 Richie Mo’unga – 6.5
Swept well to cover up loose ball in defence, and proved a nice looping pass for Will Jordan’s opening try. Scintillating footwork as he took the ball to Los Pumas, and provided his second try assist with Frizzell able to stroll over to score on the stroke of half-time. Not his best from the tee, with two first half conversions missed, which could be costly in tighter matches.
Could have added two more try assists, but went alone despite Codie Taylor’s supporting line at 46 minutes, and denied Will Jordan the chance to equalise Jonah Lomu’s semi-final try-scoring record in the final minutes. A poor showing from the tee, Mo’unga was let off with missed conversions being far more costly in a tighter battle.
11 Mark Tele’a – 8.5
Like Jordan, Tele’a left his touchline to carry up the midfield with great effect. A collision with a sliding Boffelli ran a chorus of boos around the stands, but its chalked off as a rugby collision and just a penalty. Impressive defence performance, as the winger flew out the line, with a statement to make on his return.
Direct 40th minute carry narrowly missed the touchline, in build up to Frizzell’s try. Back with a statement after missing his curfew and losing his place in the squad, as he rucked like a back-row and distributed like a halfback.
12 Jordie Barrett – 8.5
Recovered after a poor first kick under Pumas pressure, and backed up Sam Cane for a 6th minute turnover at the ruck. Stronger kicks to the corner to pin Argentina under pressure, and provided a powerful finish for the All Blacks second try. Put in a big hit on Matteo Carreras on 30 minutes, but was pinged for not rolling away before the break. Made a key covering tackle on a 56th minute line-break, and nailed Sanchez, sending the replacement to the ice bath.