In a thrilling showdown at Stade de France, New Zealand’s All Blacks dominated Argentina, reaching their record fifth Rugby World Cup final. This victory saw Will Jordan marking a remarkable hat-trick, pushing him to the forefront as the leading try scorer in the tournament.
While the Argentinian team, coached by Michael Cheika, showed promise in the early stages, they struggled to penetrate the robust New Zealand defence. All their early efforts translated into just two penalties by Emiliano Boffelli. On the other hand, the All Blacks effectively countered the Argentinian offence, displaying a disciplined defence and a ruthless attack.
Jordie Barrett, Shannon Frizell, and Aaron Smith joined Jordan in the score list, enhancing New Zealand’s dominant position. An opportunity to break their own record for the largest win margin in a World Cup semi-final was narrowly missed when Richie Mo’unga chose not to pass to Jordan, which could’ve set a new record.
Argentina now aims for a commendable finish, potentially matching their best from 2007, by securing a win in the third/fourth place play-off. Meanwhile, New Zealand is on track to solidify their position as the most successful team in World Cup history if they clinch their fourth title next weekend at Stade de France.
In retrospect, while Argentina managed a win against the All Blacks in August 2022, this meeting saw them as clear underdogs. The All Blacks, having improved remarkably since their initial defeat against France, posed a significant challenge for Argentina.
Throughout the match, Jordan’s brilliance was evident, especially with his final try that saw him cleverly clip the ball over and retrieve his own kick. The All Blacks, now with a whopping 48 tournament tries, eagerly await their final challenge on 28 October, aiming to further their legacy in the rugby world.
