Another victory for our national rugby world champs. This morning the All Blacks thrashed the Argentina Pumas in round five of the Rugby Championship in Buenos Aires, 39-17 final score. With Tūwharetoa's Damian McKenzie making his debut.
An early penalty to the All Blacks earned them first points on the board. It quickly became a game of hot potato with both sides lifting their defence.
Things got heated in the 25th minute. The All Blacks desperately trying to extend their 3 point lead with a try. Lennett Brown came through in the end.
The Argentinians found their first saving grace 8 minutes before halftime.
It wasn't long before the All Blacks came back in full might. Ryan Crotty extending their lead with clean conversion by Beauden Barrett.
2 minutes to go on the clock, but the All Blacks were just getting started squeezing in two more tries before the buzzer. 29-3 half time.
All Blacks kept the ball alive in the second half with a second try by Lennett Brown. Damian McKenzie taking the field in his All Black debut.
A yellow card to Joe Moody for foul play and the Argentinians crashed over to score their first try in the 56th minute.
The next 20 minutes saw Argentina battling to cross the try line. However in the finals minutes managed their second try thanks to Joaquin (Yokin) Tuculet.
In the end, it wasn't enough to defeat the world champions. Final score: 36 -17 to the All Blacks.