New Plymouth, New Zealand: The All Blacks unleashed “the beast” as they came from behind to beat a fired-up Argentina 39-22 in a Rugby Championship Test in New Plymouth on Saturday.
Blindside flanker Vaea Fifita turned the game 10 minutes in to the second half when he outsprinted Argentinian flyer Santiago Cordero over 50 metres to score a crucial try when the All Blacks were down by seven points.
It opened the way for a finishing burst in which they scored 24 unanswered points to remain unbeaten after three matches in the championship.
Coach Steve Hansen had billed Fifita as a “real physical beast” before the game and the 25 year-old did not disappoint using his 1.96 (6ft 5in) metre, 113 kilogramme (249 lb) frame to crash his way through Los Pumas.
It was only Fifita’s second Test and Hansen said afterwards he can only get better.
“I dont think he’s the finished product. He’s got a long way to go. But it’s a tank that’s got plenty in it and our job now is to bring that out and his job is to work on his game and get better and better and reach his potential.”
It was a Test the All Blacks were never expected to lose and they won the try count six to one.
But they were made to struggle for long periods by an Argentinian side determined to prove they still belong among the leading rugby nations.
Los Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade rated it his side’s best performance of the year after back-to-back losses against South Africa.
But they lost their way when they had a one-man advantage with All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett in the sin-bin.
“It was really a tough game and perhaps our best, but the All Blacks showed the best of what they have when they have a player in the sin bin, they played really well.”
In the first half, as the All Blacks continued to suffer from the indecision and handling errors that plagued them in their last Test against Australia, Argentina were quick to cash in.
They led 16-15 at half-time and stretched the lead to 22-15 with two quick penalties at the start of the second half before Fifita’s try brought the All Blacks back into the game. AFP