The Blacks will once again be there. By easily winning against the courageous Pumas (6-44), New Zealand secured a place in the World Cup final for the fifth time in history, in ten appearances. And despite all their desire, the Argentines never succeeded in making the Blacks doubt in this semi-final.
Although promising, the start of the match for the Pumas, who actually scored the first points of the match (3-0, 5′), was only a brief glimmer of hope. The awakening of the Blacks was not long in coming. Terribly effective, the New Zealanders showed the Argentines what they lacked to claim a place in the final: mastery in the scoring areas. Fixed in front then quickly spread on the wings of the diabolical Mark Tele’a and Will Jordan. A simple game plan which was repeated many times this Friday evening and which allowed Jordan to score his team’s first try at the end of the line (11′). For those who still doubted it, the All Blacks are back at their best.
Impressive defensively (23 missed tackles compared to 42 for the Argentinians), they managed this meeting at their own pace to better accelerate when they wanted. A few minutes later, we repeat the same pattern as the first try, we change the players and we send Jordie Barrett into the goal on the New Zealand side (17′). Already in difficulty, the Pumas complicated their task throughout the match by being too undisciplined (10 penalties) and committing slags preventing the continuity of the game.
Leading the score since the 11th minute, the All Blacks secured victory just before returning to the locker room thanks to a breakthrough from Tele’a and a try from Frizell (4′, 6-20). Already impressive in all areas of the game, New Zealand is also fortunate to be able to count on players of extraordinary talent. And when everything succeeds for them, it’s beautiful and it hurts. Upon returning from the locker room, it was Aaron Smith who lit up the Stade de France with a little inside hook followed by a fake pass to mystify the Pumas defense (43′) before Frizzel’s double (49′).
But when we talk about All Blacks phenomena, it’s impossible not to think of Will Jordan and Mark Tele’a. The first scored a hat-trick (11′,63′, 74′) including a sumptuous third try to reach eight tries in this 2023 edition while the second seemed to walk on water (98 meters covered, 2 crossings, 14 defenders beaten).
The Pumas, who found themselves stronger than them this Friday evening, will have the opportunity to raise their heads during the small final, next Friday. For their part, the Blacks are making history by once again qualifying for the final. The only negative points of the evening, the outings and the success against the poles of Richie Mo’Unga, however, do not tarnish the excellent score of the Blacks. They now have a meeting with the English or the South Africans in the final next week. This should be a whole different game!
