13 Rieko Ioane – 7
Awesome line-breaks, with a stand-out carry coming in the build up to Jordie Barrett’s first half try. Back-tracking well in defence, and was a key player to maintain the All Blacks structure and put Argentina to the sword. Made his minutes count, with a strong outing ahead of the World Cup Final selection. (Anton Linert-Brown, 60’).
14 Will Jordan – 9
Got the All Blacks scoring started after 10 minutes, with a routine dive into the corner after collecting Mo’unga’s miss pass for his sixth try of the World Cup. Cutting in off his wing to carry up the midfield, but was turned over on 24 minutes by Montoya. Taken out the air in a nasty mid-air collision but didn’t knock his confidence. Second try was a simple run in on the blind touchline, with his hat-trick score being the pick of the bunch with an awesome chip and chase. Heads into the RWC Final as the top try scorer with eight tries.
15 Beauden Barrett – 6
Comfortable under the high ball despite one slight break-down in communication with returning winger Mark Tele’a. Presented excellent kicking from hands, but had a slow first half from his high standards. Excellent take under high pressure, yet was on the receiving end of some heavy hits. Got more involved in the running game in the second half, but was withdrew with the game won early. (Damian McKenzie, 55’)
Replacements:
16 Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7
On after just 50 minutes with the game all but won, the replacement hooker’s job was to maintain the scrum dominance. He did this with great aplomb, as he won a scrum penalty when packing down for the first time against Los Pumas. Involved in carries from the off, as he is eager to regain his spot as New Zealand’s first choice hooker. Left the pitch with a nasty scratch, as the physical encounter busted up his forehead. A strong outing from the replacement front rower.
17 Tamaiti Williams – 6.5
Strong early scrum presence, and provided a key carry in the build-up to Will Jordan’s second try. Williams made half a break through the defence, before the quick ball was shipped out, for yet another All Blacks try. Worked hard in the loose, but difficult to shine with the match a foregone conclusion.
18 Fletcher Newell – 6
Similar to Williams, Fletcher Newell ran out and played what was in front of him. The match was already a done deal at the time of his involvement, so it was tricky for him to take centre stage in a push for RWC Final selection. Good work through the hands, offering the All Blacks a heavy carrier with the ability to tip off a quick pass.
19 Brodie Retallick – 6.5
Flying off the line in a real lift in the tempo, Retallick was amongst the more stand-out replacements for the All Blacks. Clearly wants to start the final for one more ride with his All Blacks running buddy Sam Whitelock, Retallick had to settle with replacing the second rower against Argentina. Provided a strong breakdown presence, but missed Taukei’aho’s 69th minute line-out.
20 Dalton Papali’i – 6
On for his captain and eager for more game-time, Papali’i got stuck in from the off. Taking over from where Cane left off, the Blues man made tackles from the get go. Brought a high urgency to scrum-time, and attacked the number-eight to stop any pick-and-go momentum. Slowed down the Pumas ball albeit legally, Papali’i did himself favours ahead of the Final.
21 Finlay Christie – 6.5
Preferred as Aaron Smith’s understudy to that of Cam Roigard, Christie stepped up to ensure his place on the match-day 23 for the Rugby World Cup Final. Gave an attacking lift to the tempo with the fans and Argentine’s deflated, Christie orchestrated the attacking lines for his versatile midfielders to run around and play off him. Eager to have his voice heard, the Scotland born scrum-half barked orders to his forwards to the very end.
22 Damian McKenzie – 6
The Chiefs man was a shot of dynamism off the bench, but had a slower match than he would have liked. He gelled nicely in the replacement midfield, and had a nice first involvement in the run-up to Jordan’s second try of the match. Managed to recover after a slip, McKenzie presented his skills with the ball in hand best today, as his kicks through on the grubber only found sweeping Pumas defenders.
23 Anton Lienert-Brown – 5.5
Like so many of the All Blacks replacements, the work was already done by the time Lienert-Brown jogged onto the pitch. Given the final 20 minutes against a crushed Argentine side, the midfielder worked well into the back-line, for an adaptable trio with McKenzie and Mo’unga. He was nailed backwards on a 76th minute hit, and missed a later tackle attempt as Matteo Carreras finally hit his stride.
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the RUCK team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.