The All Blacks are into the fifth World Cup final following this morning's statement victory over Argentina in Paris.
Will Jordan scored a hat-trick and Shannon Frizell two as New Zealand kept the Pumas to two penalties in a victory that couldn't have been more different to last week's epic against Ireland.
They will now meet England or South Africa as they seek to claim a fourth title.
Jordan hails defence
Will Jordan's now scored 31 tries in 30 Tests, but said it's his team's defensive work that has made the difference.
“I think we’ve got a really clear understanding of what we want to do, over the last couple of years we’ve had to make some changes to our game, Scott McLeod’s been awesome around our D around some different things there so to keep Argentina try-less tonight was a credit to that."
He also praised No 10 Richie Mo'unga for "putting me in for countless walks ins".
Foster delighted with 'clinical' display
Ian Foster, who now knows his final Test as All Blacks coach will be a World Cup final, said he was delighted with the effort.
While going into the match as strong favourites, he said the message around the team was that it was a World Cup semifinal and it was never going to be easy.
"It’s playoff rugby and everything’s a final, to go away with a 44-6 scoreline, we were put under a lot of pressure for parts of that game and I think we held our composure and I thought we were clinical when we needed to be."
Team 'in a good spot' - Cane
Sam Cane said the forward pack did an "outstanding job" at set piece and maul time, never giving Argentina room to breathe.
"We know they are a team that will fight for everything and they didn’t go away, so our ability to keep piling on points was pleasing. We’re in a good spot leading into the final, exactly where we want to be."
Argentina 'just didn't have the class' - Cheika
Argentina coach Michael Cheika said the result was "incredibly disappointing".
"The effort was huge, they put everything out there, I just think it was in the details of the game, the small details on transitions and scrums, the last couple of minutes before halftime, the first couple of minutes after halftime, they are the little nuances we don’t have as yet in our game.
"We’ve certainly got a lot to be proud of, I know the score is hard but their effort today, their defence, their work around the field just didn’t have the class to match New Zealand."
All Blacks in final: 'Who would have thought?' - Dagg
Following defeat by South Africa and then France in the World Cup opener, few would have predicted with much confidence that NZ would be in next week's final, a point made by Sky's Israel Dagg in the studio.
"Who would have thought? I don’t think anyone in New Zealand thought we’d playing be in a World Cup final. Let’s be honest. There are a lot of people out there who had a lot of doubt. Especially what’s gone on with mixed results, mixed selections throughout.
"Fozzie (Ian Foster), he’ll be chuffed, everyone’s betted against them, he’s stayed true to who he is and who he is about, and could potentially be leaving on a winning note."
'Going to take some stopping' - The Guardian
Writing for The Guardian, Robert Kitson said Argentina had "no answer", with Will Jordan "deadly" and Richie Mo'unga "the competition’s most in-form conductor".
He also made the point the All Blacks now have an extra day to recover.
"Whoever they end up playing the All Blacks are going to take some stopping."
He added the "lopsided nature of this semifinal was also not a great look", and in a view that won't be met with much agreement on New Zealand soil, said: "Knockout outcomes can never be choreographed but there was no disguising the thousands of conspicuously absent friends from Ireland."
'Too easy, too predictable' - Mail Online
Writing in the Mail Online, Chris Foy said the nature of the draw made this match something of a damp squib, and the encounter was a "glaring mismatch".
“Too easy. Too predictable. After the thunderous sporting masterpieces which were produced in the same arena the previous weekend, this was a shuddering World Cup come-down.”
He said Argentina were out of their depth, and the atmosphere flat.
'One more mountain to climb' - Luxon
Incoming prime minister Christopher Luxon was quick to praise the team.
"The All Blacks - what a team! They’ve been incredible this tournament - fighting hard when it counted and proved the pundits wrong to reach rugby’s greatest showpiece - the Rugby World Cup final. One more mountain to climb. Go the All Blacks!"
Former Wallabies back Drew Mitchell said the performance was a "big statement"
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