Too easy. Too predictable. After the thunderous sporting masterpieces produced in the same arena the weekend before, this was a chilling World Cup throwback.
A glaring mismatch at the Stade de France was the sad consequence of the unbalanced draw. After two quarter-finals that showcased the best of Test rugby, this semi-final was so one-sided that it undermined the credibility of the event.
Argentina simply wasn’t able to go deep. By the time the All Blacks scored their third try in stoppage time at the end of the first half, the atmosphere was terribly flat. Everyone knew what was coming.
It became a training session and a procession for Ian Foster’s side. Will Jordan claimed a fine hat-trick, but even that felt like a hollow achievement given the circumstances. Long before the final whistle there were thousands of empty seats.
New Zealand, still bearing the scars of their last four defeat to England in 2019, stormed through to reach the final with a minimum of fuss and stress. The vanquished South Americans could not muster sufficient fire and fury to nullify their opponents’ superior repertoire.
New Zealand has qualified for the Rugby World Cup final in dominant fashion
Will Jordan was playing against Argentina when he scored a hat-trick of tries in a hugely one-sided match
Argentina were defeated by New Zealand as the Pumas crashed out of the Rugby World Cup
The All Blacks showed their ruthless nature in the way they continued to steal possession, hold the line and take their chances. On a wet night in the French capital, the quality of their trademark catch-pass was as impressive as ever.
A fourth world title is now within reach; a feat that seemed so unlikely fourteen months ago. A first home defeat to these opponents in Christchurch last August was a historic setback, at a time of turmoil. The New Zealand public had turned against Foster amid calls for him to be replaced by Scott Robertson before the World Cup rather than after.
Despite the additional loss of face against the Pumas, Foster held on to his job, but only because former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt took on a more prominent role within the All Blacks set-up. Since that management overhaul, there has been a sustained revival from the depths of crisis, as demonstrated by another Rugby Championship title this year.
That suggested New Zealand was moving at just the right time for this showpiece, but there were further unseemly shocks to the Kiwi system. First the All Blacks were defeated 35-7 by South Africa at Twickenham.
Granted, it was just a warm-up match, but it was also the worst defeat in their history. Then here came the tournament opener, which the All Blacks lost 27-13 to France, despite the hosts having to overcome initial stage fright.
At that stage it seemed a far-fetched idea that the well-beaten Kiwis would progress to the final and the French would not get past the last eight. But Foster’s side demonstrated their enduring pedigree as a lethal attacking force by posting almost a century’s worth of points on hapless Italy in Lyon before beating world number 1 Ireland in a quarter-final classic, defying all predictions before the match. that they were certainly doomed.
Now, after this latest emphatic win, they could face a repeat of that epic 2019 semi-final against England, which would be an enthralling north-south decider. More likely is another final between New Zealand and South Africa and the All Blacks would probably go into that as underdogs, but on this evidence they will have a good chance.
In the opening match on Friday evening, Argentina, fueled by trademark emotional energy and fervor, surged ahead, taking a fifth-minute lead through Emiliano Boffelli’s penalty. But that was as good as it got for the class-picked Pumas.
Shannon Frizell (with ball) scored two tries as the All Blacks won the physical battle against Argentina
Argentina lost all control in the second half as New Zealand punished the South American nation
It didn’t take long for the All Blacks to take control. In the 11th minute they kicked a penalty into the left corner and made good ground with a lineout drive. The ball was swung to the right and Richie Mo’unga’s long pass sent Jordan towards the goal. Mo’unga converted for a 7-3 lead.
Foster’s men struck again before the end of the first quarter, taking advantage of the launching pad provided by their failed poach. From a turnover in his own 22, Rieko Ioane burst clear and Mo’unga raced on. Smooth handling by the Kiwi forwards kept the action alive and when the ball reached Jordie Barrett wide right it bounced off the last defender to score.
There was a penalty at both ends during a short break before the lights went out for Argentina. New Zealand won a scrum penalty to set up another attack and Mark Tele’a all too easily blasted through a series of tackles, creating space for Shannon Frizzell to touch down.
That was it; game is over. Two minutes into the second half, Aaron Smith scored New Zealand’s fourth try. Frizzell struck again for the fifth. Jordan again for sixth. And again for the seventh. It was a nasty non-match – and that’s not what a World Cup semi-final should ever be.