Match report – New Zealand 42 – 10 Argentina

Rugby Championship Round 2: The All Blacks secure a comprehensive win over Argentina at Auckland’s Eden Park, scoring six tries; the win comes a week after New Zealand suffered a shock defeat to the Pumas in Wellington

Will Jordan scored twice as New Zealand put Argentina to the sword at Eden Park

New Zealand rode a first-half try blitz to a 42-10 win over Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, live on Vscekavenging the surprising defeat suffered last week in Wellington by the Pumas.

Damian McKenzie, captain Ardie Savea, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett all scored to give the All Blacks a 35-3 lead at half-time despite pouring rain and strong winds in New Zealand rugby’s spiritual home.

Jordan scored his second try just after half-time to give the lead, but the Pumas managed to contain the barrage of tries before scoring one of their own through Juan Cruz Mallia in the 72nd minute.

Fly-half McKenzie converted all six of the All Blacks’ tries on a perfect night off the tee as New Zealand extended their 30-year unbeaten run at Eden Park to 50 Tests.

“We are very happy to have won and to have responded in the way we did,” said New Zealand captain Savea.

“We are the All Blacks, we have to give our all every week and not count on a loss to get that response from us.”

The All Blacks had clearly learned the lessons of last week’s 38-30 defeat and had made a significant step forward in terms of accuracy, execution, game management and physicality in difficult conditions.

Argentina’s run defence was thwarted by a Jordie Barrett shot that sent McKenzie into the box for the first try in the sixth minute and number 8 Savea made way for the second 11 minutes later.

A clever interception from sophomore Tupou Vaa’i set up winger Clarke’s 24th-minute goal, before a brilliant pass from scrum-half TJ Perenara sent Jordan into the box for his first try on the half-hour.

Barrett still had time to run a superb straight line and slip past the defence with a pass from McKenzie for the fifth try, which took the Pumas into half-time 32 points behind, with only a Santiago Carreras penalty on target.

The electric Jordan, making his first start this season after returning from injury, powered his way over the line to score his 33rd try in 33 international games shortly after the restart.

Argentina then tested New Zealand’s try-line defence at several stages, but reserve prop Joel Sclavi touched down while scoring what would have been their opening try.

Full-back Mallia finally got the Pumas over the line under the posts with eight minutes remaining and substitute New Zealand hooker Asafo Aumua was shown a yellow card, leaving the home side short-handed for the final four minutes.

“We haven’t been good enough this week, we need to be more consistent, week after week,” said Argentina captain Julian Montoya.

“I’m proud of the team with which we looked for the match until the last minute. But against this team you can’t give them a time.”

What will happen now?

New Zealand will face world No. 1 South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday 31 August, live on Vscek (kick-off at 4pm).

Argentina hosts Australia in the third round of the Rugby Championship, also on Saturday 31 August, live on Vscek (kick-off at 11pm).

Vscek+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, the NOW streaming service and the Vscek app, giving Vscek customers access to over 50 percent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.