New Zealand’s Jordie Barrett and Anton Lienert-Brown embrace after the Rugby World Cup semi-final in opposition to Argentina on the Stade de France. AP
Will Jordan scored a hat-trick of tries as New Zealand outclassed Argentina 44-6 on Friday to arrange a Rugby World Cup closing in opposition to the winner of the second semi-final between England and defending champions South Africa.
The consequence at a wet Stade de France noticed the All Blacks turn into the primary workforce to achieve the ultimate of a World Cup on 5 events.
“It’s so sweet. It’s new territory for this group,” mentioned participant of the match Jordie Barrett.
“I am just so proud of this group. It’s not done yet. We will have a very tough match regardless of who we have next week.”
The three-time champions, who beat Eire in an exciting quarter-final final week, outscored Los Pumas by seven tries to none, mixing some doughty early defence with front-foot flamboyance in assault.
Historical past was on New Zealand’s aspect coming into the match, the All Blacks having gained 33 of the 36 earlier encounters between the 2 sides with Los Pumas claiming two victories, with one match drawn.
And though it was Emiliano Boffelli who opened the scoring for Argentina with a fifth-minute penalty, it was not lengthy earlier than New Zealand’s dominance shone by way of.
The All Blacks spurned their first probability of a kick at aim, as an alternative going to the nook for an attacking line-out and after a collection of pick-and-drives, a protracted Richie Mo’unga cut-out cross discovered Jordan and the winger crossed for a straightforward strive that the fly-half transformed.
As forwards linked impeccably with backs, Jordan then turned supplier, drawing within the closing defender simply sufficient to permit Jordie Barrett a line into the nook for New Zealand’s second strive.
Ragged Argentina
Though they pinched a few All Black line-outs, Los Pumas seemed more and more ragged across the breakdown and constantly misplaced territory by way of their ill-discipline on the ruck.
Boffelli grabbed his second penalty after a uncommon present of Argentinian stress, however Juan Martin Gonzalez handed the benefit straight again after taking out Jordan below a excessive ball and Mo’unga slotted the penalty.
Mark Tele’a confirmed why All Blacks coach Ian Foster had recalled him rather than Leicester Fainga’anuku after serving a one-match suspension for a breach of workforce protocol, the winger jinking his approach by way of 4 defenders in direction of the road.
The ball was labored left by Aaron Smith to search out Frizzell unmarked on the wing, the excellent flanker crossing for the All Blacks’ third strive.
Mo’unga’s conversion got here again off the publish, however at 20-6 at half-time it felt as if the sport was all however over as a contest.
That was confirmed simply two minutes into the second interval as Smith sniped over for a basic scrum-half’s opportunistic strive, Mo’unga kicking the extras.
A streaking break by the fly-half then arrange the All Blacks deep in Argentine territory and with Tele’a proving a handful, Frizzell confirmed unbelievable energy to muscle his approach over for his second strive.
A raft of replacements disrupted the rhythm of the sport, however Tele’a was readily available to attract in three defenders as New Zealand ran by way of the phases, leaving Finlay Christie to feed Jordan for his second five-pointer.
Scott Barrett noticed yellow for needlessly enjoying the ball in a ruck, however Jordan was readily available to complete off his personal chip-and-chase for a 3rd attempt to his eighth at a single World Cup to attract degree with Jonah Lomu, Julian Savea and Bryan Habana.
Argentina hung in there, nevertheless, and no less than averted the ignominy of struggling the best margin of defeat in a World Cup semi-final, the All Blacks having crushed Wales 49-6 in 1987.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster mentioned his aspect had been the place they needed to be.
“It’s everything. It’s the goal. We came here wanting to be in the final and then we obviously want to go and win it. We have given ourselves that opportunity,” he mentioned.