Following the All Blacks’ 41-12 victory over the Pumas in the Rugby Championship opener, here’s our takeaways from the game in Mendoza on Saturday.
Speed of ball
It was one-way traffic in the first half in Mendoza as the All Blacks recovered from an early scare to post 31 unanswered points with Dane Coles, Ardie Savea, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, and Aaron Smith crossing the whitewash.
Much of their success came from the platform they set and were allowed to set at the breakdown as Argentina failed to slow the All Blacks’ attack down as the game quickly slipped from their grasp.
The Pumas opted to keep as many men on their feet as possible in the opening half, but that came at a detrimental cost as the All Blacks regularly got front-foot ball with the likes of Scott and Jordie Barrett getting over the gainline. Their ability to shift the ball in close quarters also paid dividends, with Coles’ opening score a perfect example of that.
Smith’s bullet pass usually gives his players an extra second or two on the ball, and the scrum-half’s accuracy throughout compounded Argentina’s struggles on defence as they just couldn’t survive with the All Blacks’ tempo.
With Damian McKenzie marshalling the troops, aided by the two backline Barretts, it just proved too much to handle for Michael Chieka’s charges.
The Pumas were far more competitive in the second half as they were able to slow down the tempo of the All Blacks attack, but by then, it was too late as the game was beyond their reach.
Set-piece solidity
Jason Ryan really is doing an excellent job as All Blacks’ forwards coach. The former Crusaders man has shored up the scrum and also made their lineout and driving maul a threat.
It helps that they have found two props with world-class potential in Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax but it is an efficient unit whoever steps into that front five. That was shown by the performances of Scott Barrett and Josh Lord, who were excellent coming in for Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock.
Both made their presence felt in the loose but it was the fundamentals of their game which stood out. It is not always easy to be so dominant when you have rarely played together but these two were efficient in every facet, which suggests that their pack is well-drilled by the outstanding Ryan.
On this evidence, their forward work is not far away from the best in the world. Ireland, France and South Africa better watch out.
Promising signs from Damian McKenzie
That was a top drawer performance from the All Blacks fly-half as he transferred his Super Rugby Pacific form at 10 to the international stage and then some.
McKenzie constantly took the ball flat and caused the Pumas countless problems due to his speed and slick handling, with his try assist for Beauden Barrett demonstrating what a threat he is to have in the first line of attack.
There is now no doubt that McKenzie is a Test fly-half and it looks set to be a straight shoot-out with Richie Mo’unga for the starting jersey at the Rugby World Cup.
Both are excellent playmakers but, goal-kicking tonight aside, it’s hard to see what more McKenzie could have done in Mendoza to impress the coaches. Outstanding.
🇳🇿 Brilliant from Damian McKenzie. #RugbyChampionship #ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/Zvb0O3MPtV
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) July 8, 2023
Mistake-ridden Pumas
That was so, so disappointing from Cheika’s men, who at the moment are heading backwards. The Australian’s initial impact was positive but, following a frustrating second half of their campaign in 2022, we were hoping for a better display to start their 2023 season. However, what transpired on Saturday was utterly abysmal and it leaves you concerned looking towards the Rugby World Cup.
In the first half, they basically did nothing right, from defence to attack to their set-piece, as they were left shell-shocked by the All Blacks. While the visitors were brilliant, Argentina simply didn’t give themselves a shot by making far too many errors throughout the first half.
They were slightly better after the break but, by that point, the match had already been lost. Cheika’s charges very much need a response against an equally forlorn Wallabies side next weekend.
Tournament decider set up perfectly
This year’s truncated Rugby Championship means it’s close to win or bust for teams and that puts extra weight on next week’s clash between the All Blacks and Springboks at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland.
It feels a great deal like it’s New Zealand and South Africa out in front and Australia and Argentina bringing up the rear by some distance after witnessing the team’s opening round showings, with the former duo looking in ominous form at this early stage.
How the All Blacks fare against a much sterner opposition in the shape of the Springboks – many of whom were rested against Australia – will be interesting to see but, whoever comes out on top next Saturday, the game itself promises to be something special.
READ MORE: Seven-try All Blacks kick off Rugby Championship in perfect style against Argentina
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