Rugby World Cup 2023 – Fact of the match from New Zealand – Argentina: all lights are green for the All Blacks

Might as well say it right away. It was unplayable for Argentina. There was not an ounce of suspense in this semi-final. The All Blacks flew over it from start to finish. All the planets have aligned to serve New Zealand’s purposes.

The first parameter was the ability of the men in black to unbalance the opposing defense, through speed and support. The difference was enormous between the play of the All Blacks and that of the Pumas. The latter had some strong moments, but on a power throw or on one or two candles recovered. Never with the ball in hand, they were unable to put the opposing defense in difficulty. Witness this second try concluded by Will Jordan after a turnover from Telea, a first breakthrough from Rieko Ioane and a 90-meter ball recovery with more than twenty passes. Everything was said! The Pumas did not know how to build this type of action; they came close to the opposing line with furious attacks, like battering rams. It couldn’t be enough. Second parameter, penalties. At the break, the New Zealanders “led” 9 penalties to three (11 to 6 in the end). With such a big deficit, the Argentines had no chance of existing, their opponents were too “stuffed” with balls.

Memory of 1987

Let us add a third parameter, individualities. It will always be necessary, even in a sport as collective as rugby. The All Blacks had in their ranks, Mark Telea, a real eel. Not only a finisher, but a particle accelerator on all kinds of actions, including close to his forwards (fourteen defenders beaten). The Argentinians did not have this kind of phenomenon in their squad. Not the slightest personal exploit to declare to get their exuberant supporters to their feet. Fourth parameter, the All Blacks allowed themselves to tame the Pumas on their supposed strong point, the scrum. It was anecdotal because there were few “eight against eight” in this match, but even in this exercise, the men from the antipodes laid down the law. There was therefore not one, but four classes of difference between the two selections. Not the slightest turning point or key moment to get your teeth into. We would have thought we were back in 1987 when these same All Blacks had inflicted a terrible 49-6 on the Welsh at the bottom of the bucket.