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All Blacks 41 Argentina 12
FULLTIME - TRY ARGENTINA
Creevy throws, and Argentina look to drive.
Creevy has it at the back, and looks for the tryline. He goes, and he's over!
He beats Christie to reach out and plant the ball and finish with a consolation effort.
Boffelli to have the final say with the conversion, but he misses. However, the graphics say successful conversion?
Game over regardless.
NZ 41 ARG 12
80 mins
Lineout. Creevy throws, Argentina wins it and advantage against Papali'i.
Play is stopped as the siren goes, but we'll have another lineout.
79 mins
Minutes to go. Argentina kick-off, as Jordie Barrett returns fire into touch.
Argentina lineout. Creevy throws but the All Blacks pinch it.
Ennor goes to Narawa again, but he's tackled this time.
Christie does well to hang onto the ball, but then puts Mo'unga in danger, before he gives away a penalty inside the All Blacks' half.
Sanchez finds the corner for a lineout.
77 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
Taylor looks to throw, but Alemanno gives away a free kick.
The All Blacks take the tap and go.
Savea goes forward, before Ennor and McKenzie find Clarke on the wing inside the 22. Clarke is tackled, but the All Blacks are close.
Cane hits the line, McKenzie plays it quickly, and goes to Narawa on the wing - he goes over in the corner for a try on debut!
McKenzie to convert, but misses.
NZ 41 ARG 5
75 mins
Argentina scrum, but there's issues keeping the front rows up.
Velez looks to feed again, but Argentina's front row goes down to give away a penalty.
Jordie Barrett finds touch.
73 mins
Creevy throws, and Argentina win the lineout against Scott Barrett's challenge.
Jordie Barrett's turned it over though! Mo'unga chips over the top for McKenzie to chase, but the bounce is unkind to him.
Argentina scrum.
71 mins
Agustin Creevy comes on for Argentina, and has a scrum straight away.
Christie feeds, before Mo'unga kicks over the top, but Carreras tidies up.
Argentina look to use it, and go all the way out to Mateo Carreras on the left.
The All Blacks give away advantage, and Argentina go wide again. Mateo Carreras runs into Tu'ungafasi, so we stop for the penalty.
69 mins
Frizell comes off, Papali'i comes on to replace him at No.6.
Montoya throws, but Vaa'i pinches it. Narawa has a run in midfield, before Jordie Barrett runs.
The All Blacks manage to keep possession, as Mo'unga goes to the air for Carreras. Narawa is there, though, and makes the tackle.
Sanchez runs, tackled, but Vivas puts it down for the All Blacks to counter.
Taylor goes, as does Tu'ungafasi.
Referee Gardner brings us back for the penalty with no advantage played.
66 mins
Jordie Barrett clears for a lineout inside Argentina's half.
Taylor throws, and finds Frizell at the back for the All Blacks to attack.
Ioane runs at the line, but Bruni turns it over in the tackle.
65 mins
Mo'unga kicks to get us restarted, straight to Sanchez.
Argentina look to use the ball, as Sordoni gets to halfway. Bruni's attempted pass ricochets off Clarke and back onto Argentina's side.
Cinti tries to step through the line as Christie can't turn it over.
They go wide to Orlando on the left, but can't really go forward.
Argentina go to the right, but Jordie Barrett's turned it over and won the penalty!
62 mins
Taylor throws, Vaa'i wins it. Mo'unga kicks with his first touch, but it's charged down and goes dead for a dropout.
61 mins
Taylor throws, but Lavanini wins it and then bumps off Cane for good measure.
Argentina on the front foot here. Bofelli kicks out on the right wing, and it dribbles into touch inside the All Blacks' 22.
60 mins
Taylor throws, Vaa'i wins it. They go to the backs and Jordie Barrett, who kicks over the top, but straight to Carreras.
Bertranou clears for another All Blacks lineout.
59 mins
Jordie Barrett kicks off.
Argentina return fire, before giving away a penalty on Tu'ungafasi.
Jordie Barrett finds touch for a lineout inside Argentina's 22.
57 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
Tuungafasi and Vaa'i come on for de Groot and Lord respectively.
All Blacks scrum, Smith feeds. They go off the back to McKenzie, who has his first real run of the game after a wrap with Jordie Barrett.
McKenzie goes for the left corner, before drawing in his defender and getting the ball away to Beauden Barrett - and he does score!
Can McKenzie convert? Wide on the left, but can't shape it back.
NZ 36 ARG 5
56 mins
Lineout in the corner. Taylor throws, and the All Blacks go to the backs through Jordie and Beauden Barrett.
Clarke has the ball, but Argentina have turned it over out on the wing.
Orlando looks for a pass back inside, but it goes to ground for a knock-on.
55 mins
McKenzie kicks off, and Argentina bring it under control.
Sanchez - with his first touch - botches a clearance, as the ball goes backwards and into touch for an All Blacks lineout.
54 mins - TRY ARGENTINA
Quick tap from Gallo! He goes at the line and wins advantage against Savea - that could be yellow.
Argentina are on the tryline - and Sordoni picks and goes to score! It looks like it won't be a card, for now.
Bofelli to convert, from wide on the right, but misses.
NZ 31 ARG 5
52 mins
Montoya throws, Argentina win it through Alemanno.
Lomax gives away advantage for offside, and Argentina look to run.
Gallo breaks the line, and he finds Bruni with an offload! Bruni is through and runs inside 5m!
Argentina are close! Lavanini goes close as Savea looks to turn it over.
The Pumas go to the backs through Cancelliere, tackled. There's a knock-on from Lord, though, so we stop for a scrum.
49 mins
Taylor throws, Scott Barrett wins it and McKenzie clears into touch.
49 mins
Montoya throws, and Matera gets up to win it. Great chance for Argentina!
Montoya goes himself, as does Sordoni. They go to the backs and Cinti, but Frizell has turned it over!
Jordie Barrett clears into touch.
47 mins
Coles comes off, Taylor on.
Montoya throws and Argentina win it, but Scott Barrett gives away another penalty.
Carreras clears for another lineout.
46 mins
All Blacks lineout. Coles throws, Scott Barrett wins it and finds McKenzie.
The All Blacks are on the front foot as Frizell smashes into a tackle.
They go all the way left to Ioane, but then back inside to Savea.
The All Blacks give away a penalty though, illegal cleanout from Scott Barrett.
Argentina lineout.
45 mins
All Blacks scrum. Smith feeds, and the All Blacks win advantage.
They go to McKenzie, who looks for Jordie Barrett, but Argentina come up quickly in defence, so we go back to the penalty.
Jordie Barrett finds touch.
44 mins
Argentina scrum, but de Groot has been a menace for them all game. Bertranou feeds, and it's a big scrum before Matera runs it off the back.
Carreras kicks, and Beauden Barrett goes up for it, but it comes loose.
Coles races back against Cinti, but we'll go back for a knock-on after the kick.
42 mins
Mateo Carreras takes the kick-off, and Argentina look to run before Santiago Carreras kicks it back.
The All Blacks run with their first use in the second half.
Cane makes it up to the 22, before they go wide to McKenzie - who spills it!
41 mins
We're back for the second half. It looks like the All Blacks are unchanged, out on the field first.
Argentina take their time before they return to the field.
McKenzie kicks off, and we're back underway!
HALFTIME - TRY ALL BLACKS, YELLOW CARD ARGENTINA
Lineout in the corner. Coles throws, Frizell wins it.
Coles has it at the back, and they have advantage! Smith takes the ball off the back - throws a dummy, and scores! That's five tries in the first half!
Things are about to get worse for Argentina here, Bruni is shown yellow for side entry into the maul.
Can McKenzie convert this one? He shapes it back through the post, and that's the half!
NZ 31 ARG 0
38 mins
Lineout on the 22. Coles throws, and the All Blacks win it to set up another attack.
Cane runs and wins advantage, as McKenzie takes over. He goes to Clarke on the wing, but Argentina defend.
Savea goes at the line, but he's tackled and we go back for the penalty.
Gardner double-blows his whistle. Montoya is warned.
37 mins
Coles throws, Frizell wins it and Jordie runs as first receiver.
Bruni has stolen it though! Argentina can regather themselves here, but Moroni has kicked it out on the full?!
Another lineout.
36 mins
Another All Blacks lineout. Coles throws, Savea brings it down and they run again.
Alemanno gives away a penalty though. Another All Blacks lineout as Jordie finds touch.
35 mins
Coles throws, Lord wins it and the All Blacks drive from outside the 22.
They've lost it though!
The ball goes wide to Mateo Carreras, who kicks it into touch to get rid of any danger.
All Blacks lineout.
34 mins
Smith feeds the All Blacks scrun, and they drive - AND win a penalty! De Groot is winning his battle against Sordoni today!
Jordie finds touch for a lineout.
34 mins
Bertranou feeds, and goes to Cancelliere.
Cane comes out of nowhere and smashes the winger to force a knock-on and a scrum.
32 mins
Carreras to kick off yet again. He goes high, straight to Jordie Barrett.
Frizell runs before he's tackled, as the ball goes back to Beauden Barrett.
He goes high, and Clarke nearly wins it in the air - but gives away advantage for knock-on.
Play stops, so we go back for that knock-on. Argentina scrum.
30 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
Scrum in the left corner. Smith feeds, and runs off the back himself before finding McKenzie.
Frizell has a run, but Argentina defend well. McKenzie gets an offload away to Rieko Ioane - and he slips right through the defence for try No.4!
Can McKenzie convert this one? And he slams it between the posts!
NZ 24 ARG 0
28 mins
Another lineout. Coles throws, Scott Barrett wins it and they drive.
They go to the backs through Smith and Jordie Barrett. Frizell has a run and gets to the 5m line.
Cane goes, tackled. De Groot goes, tackled. McKenzie tries a crossfield kick out to Jordie Barrett on the wing.
He offloads to Clarke, who offloads to Beauden Barrett. The ball goes to ground, though, so that'll be an All Blacks scrum.
Hang on, we're going to check for a deliberate knock-on against Bruni. It looks like he'll get away without a card, though.
27 mins
Coles throws, Frizell takes it this time and they go straight to the backs.
Jordie Barrett takes it as first receiver again, before brother Beauden hits the line and wins a penalty.
Clarke tries to push through out on the left, McKenzie tries a chip over the top, where Lord gets a hand on it.
It's not clean though, and the ball goes to ground on Narawa's wing, so we go back for the penalty.
25 mins
Quick lineout from the All Blacks.
Jordie Barrett breaks the line, before he's taken out by Matera - who gives away a penalty in the process.
Jordie clears for another lineout.
24 mins
Coles throws, but it's over Frizell. Bruni snaps it up and Argentina can attack from inside the half.
They go all the way to the right through Mateo Carreras before Bruni and Lavanini get on the front foot.
They go back to the left through Montoya, Bofelli goes for the line, but he has no support.
Huge pass out to the left wing and Moroni! He goes for the corner, but Jordie Barrett and Narawa force him into touch!
22 mins
Smith feeds, and the front row gets a shove on - and win the penalty!
Jordie Barrett clears into touch with his massive boot.
All Blacks lineout.
21 mins
Montoya throws again, Alemanno wins it and they try to go quickly!
They get to the line, but Lavanini spills the ball over the tryline!
Credit to Lomax for a huge tackle to force the mistake, otherwise that was a try.
All Blacks scrum.
20 mins
Argentina lineout deep in All Blacks territory. Montoya throws and they look to drive.
Montoya has it at the back, but Scott Barrett gives away a penalty.
They'll go again.
19 mins
Coles throws, Lord wins it and the All Blacks hold it.
McKenzie goes to the air, but Carreras does well to pull it out of the air.
Argentina look to slow things down, before they get over halfway.
Cane gives away a penalty, though. A high shot off the ball.
18 mins
Bertranou feeds, and exchanges passes with Bruni off the back.
The ball comes loose though, and it squirts into touch under Clarke's challenge.
All Blacks lineout.
17 mins
Argentina lineout. Montoya throws, but Lord gets up to get a hand on it.
The ball flies to Coles out the back, but is forward after Lord's touch.
Argentina scrum.
16 mins
All Blacks lineout. Coles throws short to de Groot and they go again.
Clarke throws a huge speculator out to Narawa's wing, but it goes into touch.
15 mins
Another kick-off from Carreras, and this time Argentina knock it on.
First All Blacks scrum of the day. Smith feeds, and they win advantage before going to the backs.
Ioane has a run, and gets to the 10m line. McKenzie tries to jink through, but is tackled so we go back for the penalty.
Sordoni the culprit for collapsing the scrum.
13 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
Carreras kicks off again, and the All Blacks bring it down through Lord.
McKenzie clears downfield, straight back to Carreras, who takes the line on.
Bruni runs, tackled. Carreras goes to the air, but Beauden Barrett takes it without issue.
The All Blacks go left, from Clarke, to Jordie Barrett and he frees Beauden!
Beauden draws in the last man, and gets it back inside to Jordie - and now he runs away to score!
Third conversion attempt for McKenzie, same spot as his last, and he nails this one!
NZ 17 ARG 0
10 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
Coles throws, Lord wins it and the All Blacks drive - with advantage too!
They go to the backs through Jordie Barrett and Ioane, but Argentina defend.
They go further left through Savea. De Groot pops a ball back inside to Scott Barrett, and he goes close.
Savea has another crack - and he scores a second!
Can McKenzie convert this one? He misses this one too!
NZ 10 ARG 0
8 mins
Carreras kicks off again, Lord gets it cleanly.
Beauden Barrett goes to the air with a bomb, and Narawa nabs it! He darts down the right again, and gets the ball back infield.
Argentina give away a penalty getting back to defend, and the All Blacks want the lineout.
6 mins - TRY ALL BLACKS
Argentina lineout. Montoya throws, but Scott Barrett gets up to steal it. They move the ball into midfield and Ioane breaks!
He goes wide to Narawa who gets deep into Argentina territory.
The All Blacks recycle, and Narawa has another go on the right flank. Frizell finds Scott Barrett, who pops an inside pass away to Coles - and he races clear to score the opener!
That came out of nowhere, but the All Blacks take the lead!
Can McKenzie convert? Nope, he misses first up.
NZ 5 ARG 0
5 mins
First scrum of the day. Bertranou feeds, and goes down the right.
Bofelli kicks, but McKenzie gets it and calls for the mark.
3 mins
All Blacks dropout, straight to Carreras for Argentina.
Senti carries towards the 22, before Argentina go all the way to the left. Carreras slips into a tackle, but Argentina keep it.
Carreras kicks to the wing, but Clarke claims it and the All Blacks can attack for the first time.
Savea runs, but is bumped off before Narawa has his first run. De Groot is hit hard in the tackle, as the ball comes free to Beauden Barrett.
McKenzie clears downfield, straight to Carreras. He kicks back, but Jordie Barrett loses it forward to give away a scrum.
1 min
Jordie Barrett takes the kickoff, before brother Scott runs it.
The ball goes back to McKenzie to clear - but it's charged down!!! Matera has claimed a try, but we're going to look upstairs.
It looks like McKenzie gets back to ground it first, but a massive scare first up!
KICKOFF
Right then! We're ready to get underway in Mendoza. Angus Gardner takes charge of today's clash.
Argentina will get us going, and Carreras kicks off!
7:09am
Anthems done, time for the haka - but which one will it be? Odds on for Ka Mate.
Sam Cane stands at the front, Aaron Smith leads.
Wow, it's Kapa O Pango first up - the All Blacks are taking this one seriously!
7:03am
Both sides are out on the park.
Time for anthems, New Zealand first, then Argentina.
7:00am
In very late news, Argentina winger Bautista Delguy has failed a late fitness test.
Sebastián Cancelliere comes into the starting side in his place.
6:38am
The conditions are nigh on perfect.
It's currently 14 degrees, with no wet weather expected for the course of today's clash.
Finger's crossed that plays into the All Blacks' hands!
6:30am
It's a full house at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas today - with tickets snapped up months in advance.
Argentina have beaten the All Blacks twice in history, once in Sydney and again last year in Christchurch.
But Los Pumas have never beaten New Zealand at home, which they'll look to rectify this morning.
6:10am
Good morning! We're an hour out from kickoff in Mendoza.
South Africa have already stamped their mark on this year's Rugby Championship with a huge win over Australia first up.
Now it's time for the All Blacks to do the same!
*************
Kia ora, good morning, and welcome to Newhub's live updates of the Rugby Championship match between the All Blacks and Argentina at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas.
New Zealand kick off their 2023 season with a tricky trip to Mendoza to take on the always dangerous Pumas in their own backyard.
Coach Ian Foster sprung a couple of selection surprises for his match squad, with Damian McKenzie named to start at first-five, ahead of veteran Richie Mo'unga.
Lock Josh Lord will play his first test since 2021, while Chiefs teammate Emoni Narawa has been rewarded after a stellar Super Rugby campaign with a debut start on the right wing.
The result of the squad is largely settled, with Beauden Barrett preferred at fullback, and Braydon Ennor covering the midfield and outside backs from the bench.
Meanwhile, Argentina have also benched their more senior first-five in the form of Nicolas Sanchez, with Santiago Carreras preferred in the No.10 jersey.
But coach Michael Cheika isn't wanting for leadership on the field, with veterans Julian Montoya, Pablo Matera, and Tomas Lavanini all starting.
The last time these two sides met saw the All Blacks put on a 53-3 clinic at Hamilton in September last year.
Join us at 7:10am for kickoff.
All Blacks: 1-Ethan de Groot, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Tyrel Lomax, 4-Scott Barrett, 4-Scott Barrett, 5-Josh Lord, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sam Cane (captain), 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Damian McKenzie, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15-Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16-Codie Taylor, 17-Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18-Nepo Laulala, 19-Tupou Vaa'i, 20-Dalton Papali'i, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Richie Mo'unga, 23-Braydon Ennor
Argentina: 1-Thomas Gallo, 2-Julian Montoya, 3-Lucio Sordoni, 4-Matias Alemanno, 5-Toms Lavanini, 6-Pablo Matera, 7-Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8-Rodrigo Bruni, 9-Gonzalo Bertranou, 10-Santiago Carreras, 11-Mateo Carreras, 12-Lucio Cinti, 13-Matias Moroni, 14-Sebastián Cancelliere, 15-Emiliano Boffelli
Reserves: 16-Augustin Creevy, 17-Mayco Vivas, 18-Eduardo Bello, 19-Pedro Rubiolo, 20-Sanriago Grondona, 21-Lautaro Bazan Velez, 22-Nicolas Sanchez, 23-Matias Orlando
TAB odds: New Zealand $1.20, Argentina $4.20, draw $21
Why coach Ian Foster has favoured Damian McKenzie at first-five for All Blacks' opener against Pumas
by Stephen Foote
Coach Ian Foster believes he's struck the ideal balance between opportunity and development in his first All Blacks team of the World Cup year.
Foster and fellow selectors have announced their matchday 23 for Sunday's opening test of the Rugby Championship against Argentina at Mendoza, where they'll kick off their test schedule with the sport's pinnacle event looming on the horizon.
"It's the best XV for this week," Foster said. "I think we've picked a really strong team with existing combinations, a lot of experience, but we're also using it as a chance to inject a couple of younger players in around a solid foundation to give them the best chance to succeed.
"[We're] balancing the freshness of the team, but also the desire to build some combinations going forward, and I think you'll find it's a reasonably settled team, based on where we finished last year.
"We're really satisfied with the group that we've got."
With most of the Springboks first-choice team missing their trip to Australia and already awaiting them in Auckland for next week's clash at Mt Smart Stadium, some selections suggest the All Blacks are keeping their powder dry.
One such area is at first-five, where Damian McKenzie has been chosen ahead of incumbent Richie Mo'unga to don the No.10 jersey.
The dynamic playmaker was one of Super Rugby Pacific's outstanding players, returning from his stint in Japan without missing a step, as he led the Chiefs to their first final since 2013.
Foster is keen to capitalise on McKenzie's momentum and re-introduce him to the test arena, while he's firing for his first appearance at the elite level since 2021.
"He's just playing really well," he explained. "He's been out of the All Blacks for a year and [we're] so impressed with the way that he's come back.
"I think the best way for us to get him back, feeling like he can contribute and be part of this team and give him his best chance to show us how he can play, is to give him that opportunity when he's feeling confident and when things are going well for him.
"We've got [Beauden Barrett] at fullback and Richie at No.10, so we've got a bit of a luxury there at the moment.
"It's just a nice vote of confidence in Damian and when you're out of the All Blacks for a while, there's always a bit of nerves.
"I think this is a great way for him to come in and hopefully play from a position of strength."
One of the most contentious talking points leading into the week was who would win the race to the No.15 jersey, a question Foster has answered with the selection of Barrett.
The drums have been beating at deafening level for Shaun Stevenson to have a chance in a black jersey and when Will Jordan was scratched from the travelling squad, the timing seemed ideal for the Chiefs standout.
Instead, Foster has opted for the experienced head in Barrett, who'll reprise his dual playmaker role with Mo'unga, despite being named in the squad as a first-five - a decision that seems at odds with his desire to test some of his new blood.
"[Stevenson] featured in discussion and we decided to go somewhere else," said Foster. "I've been impressed with Shaun since he's come in, but sometimes it's good for people to come in and get a feel of the space they're in here to learn.
"He's done everything we've asked of him… enjoy being here and train hard, and he's done that and everything else."
Fortunes were more favourable for Stevenson's Chiefs teammate, Emoni Narawa, who's been rewarded for his irresistible Super Rugby form with a test debut on the right wing.
"I've been so impressed with [Narawa]," said Foster. "The week we had in Auckland, he just looked calm and relaxed.
"Underneath, he's nervous, like anyone who comes in early on, but it's a great occasion for him. He should be proud of what he's done this year.
"He deserves it. We just want him to go out there and enjoy himself."
Another notable absence is veteran lock Brodie Retallick. Foster confirms the test centurion is fully fit and very willing, but they were eager to throw Josh Lord back into the furnace. after an injury-plagued couple of years to galvanise their locking depth.
After making his debut against the United States, en route to Europe, at the end of 2021, Lord was sidelined by a knee injury for the entire 2022 season.
He worked his way back for the Chiefs late in their run to the finals, with a headknock limiting his participation in the playoffs.
"[Retallick's] desire is there, but we just feel, for now, it's a great chance to give Josh an opportunity," said Foster. "He's come back from a pretty serious injury and I thought played his way back in.
"When we look at building options and depth in our locks, then the best way to do that is he does need some gametime and we've got a lot of faith in him."
Foster dismisses suggestions his squad has been named with one eye on the world champions next week, recognising the "massive challenge" they face against the Pumas this weekend.
After learning hard lessons against the Argentinians last year - including a first-ever test loss on home soil - Foster insists they're laser-focused on matching the hosts' trademark physicality and beginning a crucial campaign on a high note.
"This is a big test for us and we're not thinking too far beyond that right now," he noted.
"[Argentina] are a quality team. They've been developing their game and they certainly have a great desire to attack
"If you don't commit with your defensive line, you'll struggle with them. We know they're really willing around the breakdown particularly and that's often where the battle is against Argentina.
"We're aware of that and respectful of that, because we've learned the lessons, when we were not as respectful as we've needed to be."
