Staff Reporter.
New Zealand scored seven unanswered tries to emphatically beat Argentina 53-3 in their Rugby Championship Test in Hamilton on Saturday.
The All Blacks’ win was revenge for last week’s shock defeat to the Pumas and means they avoided a fourth consecutive loss on home soil.
It was New Zealand’s most dominant performance of the season.
And it means they move to the top of the table, a point ahead of Australia, who play South Africa.
After suffering their first ever home defeat by Argentina in Christchurch a week ago, the All Blacks chose the same starting 15.
They produced a dominant performance that brought a bonus-point win at Waikato Stadium.
Ethan de Groot, Caleb Clarke and Rieko Ioane crossed early as the home side stormed to a 24-3 half-time lead before Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea, Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett added tries after the break.
Fly-half Richie Mo’unga added 14 points with his boot.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane, under huge pressure after struggling in recent tests, came off to a warm ovation from the rain-soaked crowd after helping set up Jordie Barrett’s 61st-minute try.
“This week, we were in the game right from the start and were able to turn that into points so it was a pretty enjoyable night,” said Cane.
“I thought our defence was outstanding. We were able to force them into a heck of a lot of errors but on top of that our discipline was really good so we were able to capitalise on that and counter-attack.”
Scoring: 3-0 Mo’unga penalty, 8-0 De Groot try, 10-0 Mo’unga conversion, 15-0 Clarke try, 17-0 Mo’unga conversion, 17-3 Boffelli penalty, 22-3 Ioane try, 24-3 Mo’unga conversion, 27-3 Mo’unga penalty, 32-3 J Barrett try, 34-3 Mo’unga conversion, 39-3 Savea try, 44-3 Retallick try, 46-3 J Barrett conversion, 51-3 B Barrett try, 53-3 J Barrett conversion
New Zealand: J Barrett; W Jordan, R Ioane, D Havili, C Clarke; R Mo’unga, A Smith; E De Groot, S Taukei’aho, T Lomax, S Whitelock, S Barrett, S Frizell, S Cane, A Savea
Replacements: D Coles, G Bower, F Newell, B Retallick, D Papali’I, F Christie, B Barrett, Q Tupaea
Argentina: J Cruz Mallia; E Boffelli, M Moroni, M Orlando, S Cordero; S Carreras, T Cubelli; T Gallo, J Montoya, J Scalvi, G Petti, T Lavanini, S Grondona, M Kremer, P Matera.
Replacements: S Socino, M Vivas, E Bello, M Alemanno, J Martin Gonzalez, G Betranou, B Urdapilleta, L Cinti.