New Zealand’s Dominant Victory in Paris
In Paris, France, the entire All Blacks team has been talking all week about the desire to make it “tomorrow” after the Rugby World Cup semi-final. They wanted something meaningful last week, and they got it as New Zealand demolished Argentina 44-6 on a stormy night in Paris. Argentina’s hopes of causing an upset were extinguished by the 17th minute. The All Blacks made their second attempt, and the match had a deputy-like grip, a ruthless machine with clinical precision. New Zealand placed a firm foot in the hard-fought victory, securing their place in the Men’s Rugby World Cup final for the fifth time. The inevitability of it all was palpable.
Fans were hopeful that Argentina would somehow replicate their performance and deliver a stunning upset, with the promise of restoring their historic victories against the All Blacks in 2020 and 2022. New Zealand had been heavy favorites for this semi-final, and they made it clear all week that they would not let a repeat of 2019 happen when England knocked them out at this stage.
The All Blacks were emotional on that day, and they shed tears again last week after their memorable quarter-final win against Ireland in the same stadium. But this time, they were the cause of celebration, with a convincing win. The entire week of the All Blacks’ camp was about the lessons from the spirited Argentina match, but equally, it was an attempt to move away from the ghosts of the past and focus on the opportunity and the future.
And their performance reflected that mentality. From loosehead to fullback, their handling was on point, and their skills were so astute that they made the difficult look easy. When you have offloads like Sonny Bill Williams, where you’re cutting through defenses with apparent ease and linking up with support players with behind-the-back passes, stopping them becomes an almost impossible task. And then you have Jordie Barrett, a merciless finisher, who came in with a hat-trick of tries against Argentina, sealing the deal in a match that was as much about testing patience as it was about dealing blows, like Shannon Frizell’s emphatic run.
The All Blacks scored tries in the first half through their efforts, and Jordie Barrett opened the scoring. Each play was a lesson in patience and resilience. Their first kick-pass move was notable as they targeted Argentina’s defense and put Jordie Barrett in the corner. For the second, Rieko Ioane exploited a gap in the Pumas’ defense, and ultimately, after both efforts placed them within touching distance, it was Jordie Barrett who drove the final nail when he sidestepped three Argentine defenders to score. Their third was a more patient buildup that taught patience, involving forwards picking and going before Scott Barrett’s yellow card.
Michael Cheika’s Frustration in the First Half
Pumas had fought valiantly in the first half, as they always do, but there was no miracle like they had against Wales in the final week. This time, they didn’t have the answer. Michael Cheika, Argentina’s coach, had seemed frustrated during the first half, probably due to some of the calls going against his team, and he was roaming along the touchline. But as he saw Frizell taking the ball and hitting the Pumas’ defense, it was enough for him as he stepped away from the sidelines.
The halftime can do wonders for teams, and Pumas had a chance to regroup. But Argentina couldn’t bounce back. New Zealand’s experience under pressure proved too much. Ardie Savea put his foot on Argentina’s throat, and in the 42nd minute, he scored, with many fans still making their way back to their seats in the stadium. From there, it was a glimpse of Argentina’s prowess, which many admire, but New Zealand was the one making another addition. The Mexican wave broke out around the 50th minute, and Kapa o Pango greeted the end of the haka, but it was a rather subdued atmosphere from the 77,653 fans present in the stadium.
All Blacks Fans Head to Men’s Rugby World Cup Final
The supporters of Argentina kicked off a spirited song, with Les Marceaux delivering a fantastic rendition, while the All Blacks’ fans drummed away enthusiastically as they made their way to the Men’s Rugby World Cup final. This was a familiar sight from last week, when they had gathered to support their team during the quarter-final victory against Ireland, and the atmosphere was electric.
Despite clearing the bench for the All Blacks, there is still time for them to catch both Jordie and Jordie Barrett, making a tackle and playing throughout the first minute of the comprehensive performance. The majority of it is about maintaining comprehensive performance from start to finish.
The All Blacks’ Remarkable Turnaround
Just a year ago, the All Blacks were on an eight-match losing streak. Ian Foster’s job was on the line. They had to face a record defeat at the hands of South Africa. They started their World Cup campaign with a loss to France, and their opener’s defeat was not being swept under the rug, especially with a loaded management issue. And their beauty, or ruthlessness, is that they know how to turn it on when it matters. Damning needs to be sent out before the tournament; it’s about becoming a crane and sending out a signal when the real pressure rises.
No one should be afraid that they will play their World Cup final against Ireland again at the start of their memorable win. It was as clinical as you saw in the semi-final, and New Zealand will likely fancy their chances of adding a fourth Men’s Rugby World Cup to their name at the end of next week. The dominant win by the All Blacks reinforced the fact that they have “tomorrow” at their disposal and are well-prepared for the final as if it were never in doubt.
Sports Info: The Seattle Seahawks
