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All Black Aaron Cruden tests the Pumas defence during the 2011 World Cup quarter-final at Eden Park. - Source: Photosport -
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The Rugby Championship continues as the All Blacks host Argentina in Wellington tonight.
Fulltime All Blacks 21-5 Pumas
So that's that and the All Blacks put in a good second
half performance to post a convincing winning margin. The Pumas
were incredible tonight and threw everything including the kitchen
sink at it. That sin-binning was a big turning point for them and
the All Blacks did well to take advantage.
79min All Blacks 21-5 Pumas
The All Blacks will win this win, but Argentina are
searching for a consolation try.
71min All Blacks 21-5 Pumas
The All Blacks are charging now as Cory Jane goes in from
a set move off an attacking scrum. McCaw turned down the
opportunity of three points to pack the scrum and it paid off big
time. Eight-nine move off the back of the scrum and Weepu found
Cruden who threw a fantastic cut out ball to put Jane in in the
corner. Cruden caps it off by nailing the sideline conversion.
Charlie Faumuina is on for his Test debut - he's replaced Owen Franks.
66min All Blacks 14-5 Pumas
Finally the All Blacks break through and score! It's the
local hero Julian Savea who crosses, but plenty of Wellington faces
involved as Conrad Smith drew in three defenders before passing to
Nonu, who unselfishly gave the ball to Savea to score. Cruden's
kick from the sideline is no good. Did I mention Piri's on? All
Blacks looking a lot more in control now.
58min All Blacks 9-5 Pumas
Huge moment in the match as the All Blacks create an
overlap, but Cory Jane's pass is knocked down. The referee deems it
to be intentional from Julio Farias and sends him to the bin.
Cruden attempts a penalty, but it hits both posts and bounces back
into play. Big 10 minutes coming up.
54min All Blacks 9-5 Pumas
Argentina miss a golden opportunity to hit straight back
as Martin Rodriguez pushes a penalty attempt wide. Andrew Hore was
the man penalised for bringing down the lineout jumper
illegally.
51min All Blacks 9-5 Pumas
Cruden adds a third All Blacks penalty to give them a
tiny bit of breathing room. Rodrigo roncero has been replaced for
the Pumas after a fantastic performance.
49min All Blacks 6-5 Pumas
No change to the style of play early in the half, the All
Blacks create a half chance as Nonu side steps a few and spins it
wide, however Conrad Smith is rocked in a big tackle! Keven Mealamu
has been replaced by Andrew Hore.
Start of second half
Right, lights are on and we're back underway now!
There's a bit of delay here after half-time as the lights in the stadium have all gone out. Both teams are back in the dressing rooms!
Halftime All Blacks 6-5 Pumas
Victor Vito charges down the left hand touchline, almost
getting over the line before he was dragged into touch. Don't think
the All Blacks camp will be too happy with that effort so far,
they've failed to hold ono the ball long enough to build any
pressure. Argentina's forwards have been fantastic, hitting the
rucks with great vigour, if they can keep that energy up this game
should stay tight.
24min All Blacks 6-5 Pumas
Spectacular penalty kick from 40 metres for Cruden puts
the All Blacks back in front. Juan Manuel Leguizamon was the man
caught offside at the ruck for Argentina.
13min All Blacks 3-5 Pumas
Argentina have done what the Wallabies couldn't do in 80
minutes two weeks ago and scored a try against the All Blacks. Ma'a
Nonu dropped the ball running off his own line putting the Pumas
hot on attack. They recycled the ball quickly and Rodrigo Roncero
was the man who used great low body position to score. The front of
his jersey is covered in red stains, trying to work out if it's
blood or red wine from the pre-match!
9min All Blacks 3-0 Pumas
Cruden gets another chance and finally has his first
penalty! This one was straight in front, but the fact that the
posts were moving in the wind may have made it a wee bit
tougher!
4min All Blacks 0-0 Pumas
Aaron Cruden tries to kick his first ever penalty for the
All Blacks, but it's a tough chance in this wind and despite trying
to keep it low it swerves away to the right. Good start for the All
Blacks though as they have made good ground and already looked to
threaten the Argentinean line.
Kick-off
The anthems have taken place, the haka's been performed
and we're underway!
Pre-match
It's a typically wild and windy night in the Capital for the All Blacks' first Test there this season. Winds were gusting at over 100 kilometres an hour throughout the day and the conditions are sure to create some havoc as the breezes swirl into the Cake Tin.
ONE News' Andrew Saville believes the conditions won't do the Pumas any favours as they had looked to employ a long kicking game, but the wind may force them to hold onto the ball which could play into the All Blacks' hands.
The Wellington weather shouldn't bother the All Blacks too much with five of their starting backline having played for the Hurricanes, making them more than familiar with the treacherous conditions.
There's plenty to like about the All Blacks line up tonight with just a few changes from the team that shut out Australia two weeks ago. Perhaps the most significant of these is the absence of Dan Carter in the 10 jersey, however it's fair to say that young Aaron Cruden is more than capable in the role and has been the form first five-eighth so far this year.
The return of centre Conrad Smith will bring more organisation and leadership to the backline and he will reunite with his longtime offsider Ma'a Nonu on a ground where they have played plenty of rugby together over the years.
Fellow Hurricane Julian Savea also gets an opportunity to impress on his home track and will be keen for a big performance after being left out of the side for the last few Tests.
In the forwards another Hurricane gets an opportunity to impress with Victor Vito replacing the impressive Liam Messam at blindside flanker, while Brodie Retallick has earned a start at lock ahead of Sam Whitelock.
While the All Blacks are missing their star first five-eighth, the Pumas will be boosted by the return of their maestro Juan Martin Hernandez while inspirational number eight Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe is also back to help lead the forward effort.
While Argentina will be realistic about their chances against a side they have never beaten, they will have picked up some confidence from their draw against the Springboks in their last outing and the presence of Sir Graham Henry in the camp may also have boosted morale.
All Blacks: 15-Israel Dagg, 14-Cory Jane, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Julian Savea, 10-Aaron Cruden, 9-Aaron Smith; 8-Kieran Read, 7-Richie McCaw (c), 6-Victor Vito, 5-Brodie Retallick, 4-Luke Romano, 3-Owen Franks, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Andrew Hore, Charlie Faumuina, Sam Whitelock, Liam Messam, Piri Weepu, Beauden Barrett, Ben Smith.
Argentina: 15-Martin Rodriguez, 14-Gonzalo Camacho, 13-Marcelo Bosch, 12-Santiago Fernandez, 11-Horacio Agulla, 10-Juan Martin Hernandez, 9-Nicolas Vergallo; Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (c), Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Julio Farias Cabello, Patricio Albacete, Manuel Carizza, Juan Figallo, Eusebio Guinazu, Rodrigo Roncero.
Reserves: 16-Agustin Creevy, 17-Marcos Ayerza, 18-Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19-Leonardo Senatore, 20-Thomas Leonardi, 21-Martin Landajo, 22-Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino