A dominant pack allowed the All Blacks to finish off the Pumas in Cordoba, but two of their backs were not as convincing, writes Patrick McKendry.
One of the good news stories for the All Blacks from their 41-24 bonus-point victory over the Pumas in Cordoba which sent them to the top of the Rugby Championship table is that they outscored their opponents in the final quarter.
Scoring two tries – 10 points – against Argentina’s seven points during the final 20 minutes should not be underestimated, even despite the fact the home side got the better of the second half 14-10 overall.
The All Blacks outscored their opponents in the final quarter only once in six matches during last year’s Rugby Championship.
That was during the 33-13 victory over the Wallabies at the Cake Tin after they led 19-13 at halftime – a resounding victory which broke a recent hoodoo in the capital and went some way towards making up for their near collapse in Sydney the previous weekend when they led 28-14 at halftime but had to cling on to win 31-28.
Twice they were second best in the final quarter against the Boks in South Africa in narrow defeats and twice more in final 20 against Argentina in Wellington and at Eden Park.
So, there was that for Scott Robertson to be pleased with, along with a dominant pack and lineout drive which provided Samisoni Taukei’aho with the two tries to seal the victory.
Indeed, the lineout overall was impressive – reliable on the All Blacks’ throw and destructive on Argentina’s. In the end, the Pumas’ set piece was in disarray.
Patrick Tuipulotu provided impact from the bench after replacing skipper Scott Barrett and was one of the reasons why the lineout was so successful. Tupou Vaa'i also transitioned well from loose forward to lock.
Tuipulotu was also extremely solid on defence and the All Blacks needed him to be when the home side narrowed the gap to 31-24 in the third quarter as they rode a wave of noise and passion in the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes.
Ardie Savea was inspirational as usual, prop Fletcher Newell and flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi had their moments, and lock Fabian Holland again put in a solid shift.
Indeed, the vast majority of the forwards should be proud of their efforts because it was the pack who got the All Blacks out of potential strife in the second half as the Pumas threatened to over-run them.
Clearly, they will be better for the return of prop Tamaiti Williams and No.8 Wallace Sititi, however, and potentially as early as next Sunday in Buenos Aires.
There is no doubt that Kirifi, who started at openside flanker, is game, but there is no getting away from his lack of size either. A Tupou Vaa’i-Sititi-Savea loose trio would be better balanced and provide more of a ball-carrying threat.
The backline review will not be as positive.
Halfback Cortez Ratima scored a well-taken try when backing up Will Jordan, but had an up and down performance otherwise and struggled at times with his decision making when the pressure was on.
The two Barretts, Beauden and Jordie, were solid, with the former’s goalkicking perfect in the first half.
Jordan proved again that he is one of the toughest fullbacks in the world to stop when he has space and is on outside break (although Australia’s Tom Wright may have something to say about that), and Sevu Reece finished well.
Which leaves us with left wing Rieko Ioane and centre Billy Proctor, both of whom were underwhelming, with the latter yellow carded for an alleged professional foul breakdown offence.
To make matters worse, Proctor’s replacement Anton Lienert-Brown wasn’t much better – the Chiefs man putting in an aimless kick, penalised for tackling a player on the ground, and then sinbinned for head contact in a tackle.
Robertson isn’t exactly overflowing with short-term options for the left wing or No.13 jersey.
Caleb Clarke didn’t make the trip due to an ankle issue and Emoni Narawa is more of a right wing.
In terms of the midfield, Quinn Tupaea is a second-five, a position already well covered by Jordie Barrett, and Timoci Tavatavanawai is too inexperienced. Questions also remain about his ability to defend at the highest level.
All of which may put more scrutiny on the continued ineligibility of Leicester Fainga’anuku, who is back from France but constrained to representing only Tasman.
According to New Zealand Rugby’s eligibility laws, Fainga’anuku will be available only in the event of an injury.
A more pragmatic option would be to get him into the squad in time to be available for the two Tests against the Springboks.
Overall, the All Blacks’ composure was good this morning and there was impact up front from the bench.
But there is little doubt the team requires strengthening from reinforcements and potentially a few tough decisions from Robertson and his selectors.
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