New Zealand into fifth World Cup final as they overwhelm Argentina

HAT TRICK: Will Jordan scored a hat-trick as the All Blacks reach their fifth World Cup final. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Rugby World Cup semi-final

New Zealand 44 Argentina 6 

Once bitten, twice primed for explosive delivery. The All Blacks are right back in business. New Zealand had no intention of being sucker-punched again after their dismal performance at this stage four years ago against England when they were complacent and underwhelming. This was something else entirely. They were pumped and ready, eager to show that the notable quality of their play during the tournament was for real. This was a sumptuous showing, all but over by the 55th minute when a raft of black-shirted replacements skipped off the bench to join in the fun and frolics. Will Jordan led the way with a hat-trick of tries.

If it had been a boxing bout the referee would have stepped in to prevent further punishment. It was that one-sided, a far cry from the edge and sense of jeopardy felt last weekend in the quarter-finals. This could have, should have been Ireland’s stage for a semi-final shoot-out against the All Blacks. Once again, the lunacy of the lop-sided draw came into sharp focus. The organisers should hold their heads in shame. This was a show-piece event reduced to an exhibition.

New Zealand’s fifth World Cup final is the reward and few would bet against them being anything but strong contenders for a record-breaking fourth title, the little matter of who might be across the half-way line from them in Paris next Saturday night notwithstanding. South Africa or England? Bring it on.

We know New Zealand for the fluency of their attacking game, for their ball-in-hand potency, for their daring and nerve on the counter-attack. There was plenty of that on offer but the recent renaissance in their game has been based on their mastery of the basics, particularly at lineout, scrum and breakdown. Their defence, too, is mean and unforgiving, as tight as a Chancellor’s purse-strings. They scarcely missed a beat all night. This was a super-efficient, on-message display. They are locked and loaded for whatever comes their way.

The All Black lineout clicked immediately with veteran Sam Whitelock at the heart of the action, winning ball, spearheading the driving maul and awaiting dividends which duly came in the 10th minute, setting the Pumas on their heels before the ball was spun wide for wing, Will Jordan, to stroll in for his sixth try of the tournament. It set the tone. Within minutes, New Zealand were on the move again, sparked by a break from defence by Rieko Ioane which was finished 11 phases later by Jordie Barrett. It was a fabulous score, uplifting for Kiwi fans, alarming for those in blue-and-white.

The All Blacks were in the mood for a romp, a hard-nosed one with Whitelock, Shannon Frizell and Sam Cane laying down the platform and the backs straining to get off the leash, a wriggling bust by Mark Tele’a leading to the third try in first half added time, Frizell sauntering over the line to help see his side down the tunnel with a hearty 20-6 lead. The second-half was simply more of the same.

Argentina may have given us pride, fierceness and occasional devilment so far in this tournament but they had not managed to persuade us that they have it within them to go the whole way unlike the 2007 Pumas vintage. They had scuffed their way to this point. Their limitations showed. They were in the Buster Douglas (v Mike Tyson ) or Foinavon (Grand National 1967) league of putative upsets, rated 10-1 outsiders in a two-horse race. They had no more than a slugger’s hope of a knockout blow. Neither Buster or the old nag was anywhere to be seen.

The Pumas were under pressure from the first whistle, stringing some phases together but contained, conceding turnovers and giving away penalties, getting their first warning about yellow cards within ten minutes. Mind you, referee, Angus Gardner, did them no favours.

In truth they can hardly lay the blame for defeat at the door of officiating. Argentina cocked up the second-half re-start and ceded a try within 90 seconds to Aaron Smith. There was no way back. Frizell and Jordan did the necessary thereafter, the only blots on the Kiwi landscape an unnecessary yellow card from Scott Barrett, Richie Mo’unga’s wayward conversions as well as the butchering of an overlap in the closing minutes, one that would have seen at least a record-equalling score set.

If that was the extent of your debit column then you can be pretty pleased with yourself. New Zealand are in to win it. They have raised that bar very high indeed.

New Zealand: B Barrett (D McKenzie 55); W Jordan, R Ioane (A Lienert-Brown 60), J Barrett, M Tele’a; R Mo’unga, A Smith (F Christie (55); E de Groot (T Williams 55), C Taylor (S Taukei’aho 50), T Lomax (F Newell 55), S Whitelock (B Retallick 60), S Barrett, S Frizell, S Cane (capt) (D Papali’i 65), A Savea 

Argentina: J C Mallia; E Boffelli, L Cinti, S Chocobares (M Moroni 64), M Carreras; S Carreras (N Sanchez 65), G Bertranou (L Velez 50); T Gallo (J Sclavi 67), J Montoya ( A Creevy 64), F G Kodela (E Bello 50), G Petti, T Lavanini (M Alemanno 41), J M Gonzalez, M Kremer, F Isa (R Bruni 19-30, 64)

Referee: Angus Gardner