RC round 3 AB v's ARG & OZ v's RSA

First things first, I think the schedule needs to be changed. AB's are still being favoured. Today's game would be so much more interesting and a better challenge for the AB's if it were being played in Argentina.

Put that to one side, today the competition moves on and I'm really looking forward to see a comparison of sorts between the Ozy and Arg performances verses NZ.

Also I'm wondering if Ozy can now relax with the Bledisloe gone and find some form. I'm sure the old boys Genia and Cooper will be desperate to challenge perceptions that they're yesterday's men, also hopefully they'll have both benefited from getting last weeks game.

I'm really not sure what to expect from RSA but good luck to them and each side out their today - come on Argentina, history beckons!

20 gone 7 - 13 to Argentina, a try a piece but NZ miss two pens

30 min 14 - 16 to Argentina, AB's try, ARG pen. Lots of AB penalties.

HT 24 - 19 to the AB's, grubber from Smith gives Barrett the try. More pens from the AB's and a second cheap high shot which should have seen yellow provides Argentina their 6th shot from distance - which is missed.

Very entertaining and fair play to Arg for taking it to NZ at every opportunity. They're actually trying to beat NZ at their own game!

That said (and not to ignore the pressure Argentina are applying), I'm sure a stern reminder and refocus from Hanson et al will see a reduction in the penalty count and a harder perhaps narrower AB approach?

Lets hope Argentina can continue with their challenge. I for one would love for them to continue to improve and have to say the more I think of it a 2027 Argentinian WC would be amazing.

Wow. What a game. Lovin this so far, more of the same please in the second half

Amazing match so far.

NZ will be knackered in the final 10 if they keep having to defend like this. They look rattled, and it's a 2 point game!

'The AB's are looking rattled' says the kiwi great.

24 - 22 Kane off injured, Savea on gives a pen which should have been yellow

BBarrett take a bow, creates wonderful AB try!

NZ score one try from some individual brilliance, then suddenly turn it up a gear and Argentina's defence isn't enough to live with them.

That should seal it for NZ

NZ have restored order 45 - 22 65 mins

Some big calls from the NZ bench. Captain Coles and 2nd row were both pulled and the message was received.

AB bench is making the difference by comparison.

52 - 22 AB's showing the dominance.

Wow a real wonderful game. What can we learn from this?

Yes skills can challenge the AB's however power and depth are also required components.

England should take note. Do we have the skills = No But do we have Power = Yes And depth Yes.

AB's are very very good.

AB's win 57 - 22, 8 tries to 1 which absolutely does not reflect the game. Argentina were really in this till 50 minutes.

Wonderful bench from the All Blacks when Argentina ran out of gas.

Can't say this enough, was a great game of rugby and well worth picking up from the tube.

Very well played to both teams and congratulations to the AB's. Can anyone but themselves beat them?

That was some game, really enjoyed that.

The AB's simply have too much depth but fair play to Argentina for taking it too them. I thought they were going to beat them after 50mins.

ABs let you play a bit with the ball before showing how it is done.
Credit to Argentina for playing the way they did.

excellant tactics by Argentina, I know the score doesnt reflect it but the skill and energy levels in that Puma team is very much understated.

Sniping pick and gos kept the ABs having to hold off  their wide defence, leaving the hole behind the ruck exposed and the Puma kept running into it. simple but brilliant, the ABs needed to be tested and they very much were. both teams will be very better off for that game.

Just one question: How bad was Australias performance last week against the ABs compared to what we saw tonight.

This is why you should always ignore half-time scores against the best sides.

In the early 2000s England were often behind or marginally ahead and half-time and went on to smash sides in the last 20 minutes.

NZ are walking this tournament. Arg could get 2nd as SA and Aussies are so poor.

aucklandlaurie wrote:excellant tactics by Argentina, I know the score doesnt reflect it but the skill and energy levels in that Puma team is very much understated.

Sniping pick and gos kept the ABs having to hold off  their wide defence, leaving the hole behind the ruck exposed and the Puma kept running into it. simple but brilliant, the ABs needed to be tested and they very much were. both teams will be very better off for that game.

Just one question: How bad was Australias performance last week against the ABs compared to what we saw tonight.

The next game will help us answer that. However I wonder if we just watched a game of 1st world rugby and now we're going to see a game from two of the other countries?

Oh dear, looks like there's about 20k at Suncorp

0 - 7 to RSA

Humble as ever from the AB's:

Interviewer: what about the Argentinians they were very good in the first half? Read: yes I think we deserve a lot of credit for how well we beat them."

Anyway great game to watch, the AB's looked a little rattled to start with but we're just unstoppable for that final 30 mins. I don't know how anyone is going to beat them unless they play badly.

Hansens attitude post game says a lot about why they're so good too, 8-1 try count but he's unhappy with a lot and you know he's going to lay into a few players.