New Zealand have qualified for the Rugby World Cup final in dominant fashion
- 6 months ago
Too easy. Too predictable. After the thunderous sporting masterpieces that were produced in the same arena the previous weekend, this was a shuddering World Cup comedown.
The sad result of the imbalanced draw was a glaring mismatch at the Stade de France. The previous weekend, the venue had staged two pulsating quarter-finals which showcased the very best of Test rugby, but this semi was so one-sided it undermined the credibility of the event.
Argentina were simply out of their depth. By the time the All Blacks scored their third try in first-half injury time, the atmosphere was flat.
There were thousands of empty seats long before the final whistle. Stands that had been awash with partisan fervor so often during this World Cup ended up near-silent and part-abandoned.
It became a training session and a procession for Ian Foster’s victors. Will Jordan claimed a fine hat-trick as the prolific wing equaled the try-scoring record for a single tournament with eight, but even that felt hollow.
‘It’s a World Cup semi-final, the goal is to win it and we won it,’ said Foster, asked how well this would prepare his team for a far more taxing assignment in seven days. ‘I loved our composure and we were pretty clinical about executing. I’m proud of the attitude of the players and I’m proud of the coaching staff. One more week.’
New Zealand, still wearing the scars of their last-four defeat by England in 2019, cruised to the final in second gear. They showed a ruthless streak in stealing possession, holding the line, and taking their chances. On a wet night, their trademark catch-pass quality was as impressive as ever.
A fourth global title is now within reach, having seemed so unlikely just 14 months ago. A first home defeat against these opponents last August was a historic setback at a time of turmoil. The public had turned on Foster, amid a clamour for him to be replaced by Scott Robertson before the World Cup, rather than after it.
Despite the additional loss of face against the Pumas, Foster clung on, as former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt took on a more prominent role in the set-up. Since that management overhaul, there has been a sustained resurgence, suggesting New Zealand were hitting their stride at the right time.
But then the All Blacks were trounced 35-7 by South Africa at Twickenham for the heaviest defeat in their history and then came the tournament opener here, which they lost 27-13 to France.
It seemed far-fetched then that the Kiwis would surge on to the final. But Foster’s side showed their pedigree as a lethal attacking force, putting 96 points on Italy before beating world No 1-ranked Ireland in a quarter-final classic.
Now, they could face a repeat of that epic 2019 semi against England. More likely is another New Zealand-South Africa final and the All Blacks would go into that as underdogs, but on this evidence, they have a fair shot.
Argentina took a fifth-minute lead last night through a penalty by Emiliano Boffelli, bu
The sad result of the imbalanced draw was a glaring mismatch at the Stade de France. The previous weekend, the venue had staged two pulsating quarter-finals which showcased the very best of Test rugby, but this semi was so one-sided it undermined the credibility of the event.
Argentina were simply out of their depth. By the time the All Blacks scored their third try in first-half injury time, the atmosphere was flat.
There were thousands of empty seats long before the final whistle. Stands that had been awash with partisan fervor so often during this World Cup ended up near-silent and part-abandoned.
It became a training session and a procession for Ian Foster’s victors. Will Jordan claimed a fine hat-trick as the prolific wing equaled the try-scoring record for a single tournament with eight, but even that felt hollow.
‘It’s a World Cup semi-final, the goal is to win it and we won it,’ said Foster, asked how well this would prepare his team for a far more taxing assignment in seven days. ‘I loved our composure and we were pretty clinical about executing. I’m proud of the attitude of the players and I’m proud of the coaching staff. One more week.’
New Zealand, still wearing the scars of their last-four defeat by England in 2019, cruised to the final in second gear. They showed a ruthless streak in stealing possession, holding the line, and taking their chances. On a wet night, their trademark catch-pass quality was as impressive as ever.
A fourth global title is now within reach, having seemed so unlikely just 14 months ago. A first home defeat against these opponents last August was a historic setback at a time of turmoil. The public had turned on Foster, amid a clamour for him to be replaced by Scott Robertson before the World Cup, rather than after it.
Despite the additional loss of face against the Pumas, Foster clung on, as former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt took on a more prominent role in the set-up. Since that management overhaul, there has been a sustained resurgence, suggesting New Zealand were hitting their stride at the right time.
But then the All Blacks were trounced 35-7 by South Africa at Twickenham for the heaviest defeat in their history and then came the tournament opener here, which they lost 27-13 to France.
It seemed far-fetched then that the Kiwis would surge on to the final. But Foster’s side showed their pedigree as a lethal attacking force, putting 96 points on Italy before beating world No 1-ranked Ireland in a quarter-final classic.
Now, they could face a repeat of that epic 2019 semi against England. More likely is another New Zealand-South Africa final and the All Blacks would go into that as underdogs, but on this evidence, they have a fair shot.
Argentina took a fifth-minute lead last night through a penalty by Emiliano Boffelli, bu