Argentina vs New Zealand results, highlights and analysis as ruthless All Blacks storm into World Cup Final

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Jonathan Burnett
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New Zealand put on a rugby-playing exhibition to reach the 2023 World Cup Final, thrashing an under-par Argentina side 44-6 in one of the most dominant semi-final displays you're ever likely to see. The All Blacks ran in seven tries, with Will Jordan notching a hat-trick and Shannon Frizell a brace, with the Pumas restricted to just two early penalties as their ultra-clinical Southern Hemisphere rivals put them to the sword.

Argentina began the brighter of the two sides, mounting up plenty of early possession and territory that soon resulted in Emiliano Boffelli slotting over the first points of the game. Once given a chance at the other end though, the All Blacks would go one better. Their pack built pressure on the left before a quick transition to the right, where Richie Mo'unga sent Jordan over for an easy five-pointer.

Five minutes later, the All Blacks went the length to score their second. Rieko Ioane's break was followed up by Mo'unga and Mark Telea, and further support arrived to keep the ball moving into the arms of Jordie Barrett, who dived over in the corner for try number two. Offered a chance to close the gap with another penalty soon after, Boffelli elected to kick the points rather than go for a try, but the margin was extended almost immediately as Mo'unga slotted over a three-pointer of his own.

New Zealand continued to build pressure approaching half-time, and with the clock beyond 40, that pressure told again as Shannon Frizell finished off another forward-led move in the left corner. Sadly for Argentina, the break didn't stem the flow of All Black points, as Aaron Smith scooted from the base of the second period's first line-out to score his side's fourth.

Los Pumas quickly began to fade with the relentless attack of New Zealand too much to handle, and after breaking into the back-field once more, this time from Mo'unga, Tongan-born flanker Frizell was on hand to barge over from close range for his second try. With Argentina looking unlikely to score another point, other than through the hard-working Mateo Carreras, the All Blacks led by 28 with over half an hour to go.

The back end of the second half quickly became the Will Jordan show, who dotted down his second with another easy finish off the back of Tamaiti Williams and Telea both being held up short of the line. His piece de resistance came six minutes from time, chipping over the top of flailing Argentine defence to scoop up the ball and confirm his hat-trick as the All Blacks finished with a flourish. 44-6, into the final, and given some of the rugby we've seen them pull off tonight, opponents England or South Africa have a mammoth task on their hands next weekend.

Pumas pulverised to end World Cup dream with a whimper

Having been poor against England in Pool D, and requiring a late comeback to edge Wales in the quarters, some would argue Argentina are relatively lucky just to have reached the semi-finals - and although no team gets to the last four of a Rugby World Cup by mistake, this was clearly a step too far for Michael Cheika's Pumas. Their early dominance of territory and possession translated to just six points, and by the time their stuttering attack did seem to click into gear, the All Blacks were already well out of sight. There's no doubt Los Pumas have progressed in the last few years - beating the All Blacks twice included - but their performance in this semi-final suggests they're still some way off consistently matching the best in the business.

All Black everything as Kiwi machine soars to decider

The ghosts of their 2019 semi-final loss to England were quashed very, very early in Saint-Denis, as the All Blacks sent a statement of intent to both of their potential World Cup final opponents. Seven semi-final tries, all of which came via multi-phase moves or individual brilliance, shows just how talented and cohesive this New Zealand squad are, and after flying under the radar prior to the tournament, the All Blacks have booked their place in the final in the most emphatic fashion possible. Two near-flawless performances in the knockouts have left both Ireland and Argentina in the dust, and off the back of those displays, Ian Foster's side know that the Webb Ellis Cup is well within their grasp.

The Sporting News followed the match live, providing updates and commentary below.

Argentina vs New Zealand full-time score

  Score
Argentina 6
New Zealand 44

Tries: Jordan (3), J Barrett, Frizell (2), Smith

Conversions: Mo'unga (3)

Penalties: Boffelli (2); Mo'unga

Argentina vs New Zealand full commentary, highlights

FT: That's all from us, and we sign off with one of the 2023 Rugby World Cup finalists confirmed! From very early on in this game, it was only ever going to be New Zealand, who look ahead to next week's decider against either England or South Africa! We'll see you there, and despite the tournament nearing its climax, we think there are still plenty of twists and turns to come.

FT: It's all over at the Stade de France, as New Zealand reach the 2023 Rugby World Cup final with a dominant, dominant display. From minute one, the All Blacks looked capable of blowing the doors off, and they continued at pace in the second half with early tries for Smith and Frizell. With their place in the big dance all-but confirmed Will Jordan popped up with two more tries to complete his hat-trick. His third in particular was a beautifully-executed move showing a modern-day winger at the peak of his powers, and he becomes just the third player to score a treble in a World Cup semi-final. The All Blacks will return to Saint-Denis in little over a week's time in their bid to seal a record fourth World title, while Argentina's unlikely chances of glory are crushed in the most brutal manner imaginable.

83 mins: Argentina keep the ball well and look to build an attack in midfield, but Kremer's pass is knocked down by Anton Lienert-Brown and this one-sided game will fizzle out well beyond the 80-minute mark!

81 mins: Following a close-range knock-on from New Zealand, Argentina launch an attack from the five-metre scrum, but it comes to nothing down the left-hand side and is back with the All Blacks.

80 mins: Off a 50-22 line-out, Christie launches the ball to the right and Damian McKenzie finds Mo'unga. Jordan has another walk-in at the corner, but the All Blacks' 10 holds onto it too long and is tackled short of the try-line!

79 mins: Los Pumas look to launch one last attack from deep through Carreras and Sanchez, but Boffelli's wide pass to Gonzalez is dropped cold by the flanker and New Zealand will get another opportunity of their own.

77 mins: Mateo Carreras scoops up a kick in behind from Mo'unga, stepping inside three to springboard an Argentine attack! Mallia hits a flat ball from the next phase to break into New Zealand's half, and Sanchez grubbers ahead to give Los Pumas further field position.

74 mins: TRY - Argentina 6-44 New Zealand! A glorious third for Will Jordan! Taking an inside ball from Savea off the line-out, the winger glides through the gain-line and into open pasture. With two defenders in front of him, Jordan kicks ahead, and gets a glorious bounce to re-gather and score his third! Mo'unga pulls another conversion wide of the sticks, but up by seven tries to none, the All Blacks are now enjoying their ride to the final.

72 mins: Bazan's clearance is fielded by Jordan over the sideline, but he takes the line-out quickly to send Christie through a gap and get the All Blacks straight back on the front foot!

69 mins: Last week's hero Nicolas Sanchez is on for Argentina, and the extra creativity in the playmaking positions looks to be working well until replacement prop Joel Sclavi knocks on in the 22!

66 mins: Yellow Card! Jordan's chip over the top bounces horribly for Mateo Carreras, but he's able to take possession on the floor as Pumas forwards arrive to help him out. As scrum-half Lautaro Bazan tries to get the ball away from the ruck, Scott Barrett sticks out a hand to deliberately knock-on, and is sent to the sin-bin as a result!

63 mins: TRY - Argentina 6-39 New Zealand! Six of the best for the All Blacks! Forward they come, and replacement prop Tamaiti Williams almost barges his way through the centre. From there, the backs take over, and Telea is held up short of the line before Christie pop-passes to an unmarked Jordan! He dots down in the corner untouched, and although Mo'unga pulls the conversion wide, it's now a commanding 33-point lead for the All Blacks.

61 mins: A blindside passing move opens up the Argentina defence as Jordie Barrett pokes his nose through the gain-line. Finlay Christie, on at scrum-half for Smith, produces quick-ball of the fastest order, and the All Blacks soon win an offside penalty to march further down the field.

59 mins: From the line-out, Argentina's maul breaks down and they shift the ball wide. It comes loose and Gallo scoops it up, putting in a strong carry before losing the ball in contact with Whitelock!

57 mins: That's more like it from Argentina! Mateo Carreras bursts onto a short ball and breaks the line off the scrum. The ball is recycled quickly and Santiago Carreras kicks wide to Boffelli, whose inside offload to Mallia takes Los Pumas into the 22 before they win a ruck penalty!

55 mins: Camped on the edge of Argentina's 22, New Zealand build multiple phases as they look for an opening. It finally comes as Beauden Barrett kicks wide to the right, but Jordan can't keep hold of the bouncing ball and Los Pumas will feed the scrum.

52 mins: Los Pumas throw the ball wide and threaten to truly open the All Blacks up for the first time, but Mateo Carreras can't keep hold of the pill and it's spilled back into New Zealand hands.

50 mins: TRY - Argentina 6-34 New Zealand! Beauden Barrett is driven back by bruising Mateo Carreras defence, but the All Blacks win penalty advantage and keep edging closer to the line. Lomax is stopped short once again, but the pressure finally tells as Frizell burrows his way over from close range! Mo'unga adds the two, and now a whopping 28 points ahead, the All Blacks have booked their place in the 2023 World Cup Final.

48 mins: A quick shift from right to left gives Mo'unga space to dummy and burst into the back-field. He's cut down short of the line by Boffelli, but the All Blacks pile in hunting a fifth try as Jordie Barrett, Savea and Lomax are all stopped within inches of the line!

46 mins: From the line-out, Isa scoots down the blindside and surges down the flank. He offloads inside to Gonzalez, but his foots in touch as he does so and the chance comes to nothing!

45 mins: Unable to pass or carry their way out of trouble, Argentina look to the skies as Bertranou sends the ball up. Beauden Barrett fields the kick well and looks to grubber ahead as he lands, but the ball rolls straight over the sideline.

42 mins: TRY - Argentina 6-27 New Zealand! The All Blacks are on their way to the World Cup final! After Argentina knock-on from the kick-off,  the line-out maul rolls forward for New Zealand. Savea pops the ball up to Smith, who dummies, steps, darts straight through, and rides the tackle of Mallia to score! Four tries for the All Blacks, and Mo'unga sends the conversion over to open up a huge, likely unassailable lead.

41 mins: We're back and ready for the second half, which is kicked off by New Zealand's Beauden Barrett!

HT: In the first half, Argentina had more possession, carries, metres and territory than New Zealand, yet find themselves down by two converted tries. If they can fix their discipline and become more clinical in the opposition 22, Los Pumas could be on for another Lazarus-like comeback, but they simply have to score first in the second half to prevent the All Blacks from pulling away.

HT: The All Blacks are in total command at the break, crossing for three first-half tries despite spending plenty of it under the cosh! Argentina have maintained a significant amount of possession deep in New Zealand's 22, but have only two Boffelli penalties to show for their efforts. Their poor execution has been capitalised on at the other end, with Jordan and Frizell both scoring with ease either side of Jordie Barrett finishing off a multi-phase counter-attack! Ahead by 14 with just 40 minutes to go, and playing a style of rugby which Los Pumas just can't seem to handle, the All Blacks know they've got one foot in the final.

42 mins: TRY - Argentina 6-20 New Zealand! The All Blacks cross for a third right on half-time! From the attacking line-out, Telea dances his way through the defence and into the 22 before being stopped short of the line. It's recycled quickly and passed out to the left, where Frizell can effectively walk over in the corner and dot the ball down! True All Black class, and only a missed conversion from Mo'unga keeps Argentina within two converted tries as the half-time whistle goes.

40 mins: A scrum fed by Smith quickly breaks down on Argentina's side, winning New Zealand a penalty which they'll use to launch one last attack from at the end of this first half.

38 mins: PENALTY - Argentina 6-15 New Zealand. After Jordan is caught in the air by Gonzalez, the All Blacks look to throw the ball wide, but heavy defence from Chocobares and Kremer forces both Mo'unga and Jordie Barrett back. New Zealand gain another penalty though, and with half-time approaching, Mo'unga slots an extra three points between the sticks.

35 mins: PENALTY - Argentina 6-12 New Zealand. Los Pumas point to the posts again despite being nine points behind, and another routine kick for Boffelli closes that gap to six.

33 mins: Argentina power their way forward from an attacking line-out, with all their forwards taking carries towards the New Zealand line. The All Blacks defence stands firm though, with Gonzalez, Isa, and Montoya all stopped short before Los Pumas win a penalty!

31 mins: The game's first scrum holds firm for Argentina, and Mateo Carreras lays the platform with another strong carry. Chocobares follows suit in the middle, before Mallia drills a grubber into touch as Los Pumas look to apply defensive pressure in the All Blacks' 22.

28 mins: A line-out call goes New Zealand's way and forward they come. Telea, Scott Barrett and Jordan all make good metres, but Gallo fires into the latter breakdown to turn the ball over and Kremer comes away with it!

26 mins: An offside penalty against Scott Barrett gives Argentina an attacking line-out, but Whitelock - playing in a record fourth World Cup semi-final - sticks out a big right hand to pinch the ball from Montoya's throw and send it back into All Black possession!

23 mins: A dropped Telea catch gives Los Pumas possession in All Black territory, and Mateo Carreras swaps wings to make another good carry. Once again though, New Zealand get over the ball at the breakdown to turn it over, just as Argentina are preparing to consolidate their territory!

20 mins: Mallia's grubber towards the corner is cut out by Mo'unga, who sets off on a sideways run across his 22 before clearing into touch!

17 mins: TRY - Argentina 3-12 New Zealand! A quick-fire second from the men in black! Ioane's break is supported by Mo'unga, and a wide ball to Telea takes the All Blacks into the 22. It's kept alive quickly as seemingly every forward and back join in with the move, and Jordan puts Jordie Barrett over in the right-hand corner! A scintillating move from New Zealand, extending their lead to nine points as Mo'unga misses the conversion.

15 mins: Strong running from Mateo Carreras, Gallo and Chocobares takes Argentina back into the All Blacks' 22, but it's turned over cleanly before they can open up the defence and Ioane races away on the counter-attack!! 

12 mins: TRY - Argentina 3-7 New Zealand! The All Blacks are first over the whitewash! Successive penalties allow the New Zealand maul to roll towards the line, but they're stopped just short via scrappy Argentine defence. Instead, it's popped out to Mo'unga, whose wide cut-out pass to Jordan gives the winger all the time in the world to stroll over and score! His seventh of the tournament, and it's converted by Mo'unga to give the All Blacks a four-point lead.

8 mins: After gaining penalty advantage, Beauden Barrett chips over the top. Telea and Boffelli contest the ball, but come together in a massive collision that leaves the Argentina wideman on the deck!

7 mins: Following a strong kick return from Mateo Carreras, his namesake Santiago hoists a high bomb behind the defensive line. Telea goes up for it, but he's beaten in the air by Isa and Los Pumas are back on the attack!

5 mins: PENALTY - Argentina 3-0 New Zealand! Strong carries off the attacking line-out eventually earn Los Pumas a ruck penalty, and Boffelli steps up to notch the first points of the game from close range!

3 mins: Argentina start on the front foot and carry well into New Zealand's 22. Santiago Carreras's attempted grubber through is fielded by Mo'unga, but Jordie Barrett slices his clearing kick a much shorter distance than expected!

Kick-Off: Kapa O Pango is the challenge laid down by the All Blacks, and Argentina face it sternly before getting this semi-final underway!

5 mins to KO: Argentina, led out by 50th cap-winning Facundo Isa, are first to sing their anthem, and New Zealand follow suit with an equally passionate rendition. There's only one pre-match ritual left, and Los Pumas will line up on halfway to stare down the All Black Haka.

10 mins to KO: The players leave their dressing rooms and enter the tunnel. The stadium lights dim, and the crowd rises as Argentina and New Zealand trudge out onto the pitch! Let battle commence.

15 mins to KO: The Stade de France lays in wait as the two teams prepare to enter the field, in a stadium packed with both blue and white and black shirts as kick-off approaches!

30 mins to KO: Both sides have refrained from making wholesale changes ahead of this semi-final, with Gonzalo Bertranou the only fresh face for the Pumas. He'll play scrum-half for Michael Cheika's side, meanwhile the All Blacks rotate locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, also bringing in recalled winger Mark Telea.

45 mins to KO: On several occasions against Ireland, New Zealand also looked to be on the brink of a homeward flight, but the All Blacks dug deep to keep themselves ahead by the narrowest of margins. Their lead was cut to just one point on two occasions, but Jordie Barrett's late penalty ensured a four-point victory and a place in the tournament's last four.

1 hour to KO: Argentina's late revival against Wales is the perfect springboard for Los Pumas to take into this game, as their replacement players came to the fore to score and save a combined 18 points. They'll need to provide that same impetus off the bench tonight, against an All Blacks side that is packed to the brim with world-class superstars from jerseys 1 to 23.

1 hour 15 mins to KO: After finishing second in their respective pools, both sides have done things the hard way to reach the last four. Argentina came from five points behind to defeat Wales 29-17 in Marseille, while the New Zealand hung on to edge out much-fancied world number ones Ireland in a titanic battle that ended 28-24 to the men in black.

1 hour 30 mins to KO: Hello, and welcome to live coverage of this Rugby World Cup semi-final! Los Pumas of Argentina face New Zealand's All Blacks at the Stade de France, in a game that will give one of these two nations the chance to make rugby union history in 2023.

MORE: Who are the favourites to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup?

Argentina vs New Zealand lineups

Los Pumas make just one change to the team that beat Wales in Marseille, as Gonzalo Bertranou replaces Tomas Cubelli at scrum-half having started four games in Pool D. Flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez scored the only try and wing Emiliano Boffelli kicked 20 points as Argentina secured a 25-18 win in Christchurch last year, and both start with the aim of repeating that historic result.

The impact of Argentina's bench turned the tide against Wales, with all of their points in the final 12 minutes — other than from Boffelli's cannon of a right boot — coming via replacements. Prop Joel Sclavi's close-range try got the comeback underway, and following a try-saving Matias Moroni tackle, veteran fly-half Nicolas Sanchez latched onto an intercept to race under the posts and seal the win.

Argentina starting XV: Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou; Thomas Gallo, Julian Montoya, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Guido Petti, Tomas Lavini, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Marcos Kremer, Facundo Isa.

Argentina replacements: Augustin Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan, Nicolas Sanchez, Matias Moroni.

In turn, the All Blacks make two changes to their matchday 23, both of which come in the starting lineup. Mark Telea, who coach Ian Foster had dropped from the side following a curfew break, is recalled on the left wing despite Leicester Fainga'anuku's try-scoring exploits last weekend. Telea and opposite winger Will Jordan will be looking for service from playmakers Richie Mo'unga and Jordie Barrett, whose points off the tee made the difference against Ireland.

In the pack, two old warhorses switch positions. Record All Blacks appearance maker Sam Whitelock moves into the starting side, taking the second-row place of long-time partner Brodie Retallick. Scott Barrett will line up alongside Whitelock with Retallick set to make an impact off the bench, and the impeccable form of No. 8 Ardie Savea will provide even more from the back of the scrum.

New Zealand Starting XV: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.

New Zealand Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.

MORE: All Blacks edge Ireland in match for the ages to reach Rugby World Cup semi's

Argentina vs New Zealand TV channel, live stream

TV networks worldwide will be showing all 48 matches at the tournament live, including many on free-to-air television.

On social platforms alone, video content from the Rugby World Cup and organisers World Rugby drew more than 2.1 billion views in 2019 — almost six times the previous figure.

  TV channel Streaming
USA — Peacock
Canada TSN

TSN+

UK ITV ITV X
Australia Channel 9 Stan Sport, 9Now
New Zealand Sky GO Sky GO
India — Fan Code
Hong Kong BeIN Sports BeIN Sports
Malaysia BeIN Sports BeIN Sports
Singapore BeIN Sports BeIN Sports

MORE: New Zealand thump Italy to clinch quarter-final place in style

Argentina vs. New Zealand betting odds, prediction

Despite losing their first home game against Argentina little under 14 months ago, the All Blacks have very much reverted to type since, beating Los Pumas in the two fixtures since by a combined scoreline of 94-15.

They've also been successful in their previous two World Cup encounters. Winners by 33-10 in the 2011 quarter-finals on home soil, the All Blacks then won 26-16 win at Wembley Stadium in the 2015 pool stage. New Zealand went on to win both tournaments.

It'll be interesting to see how Argentina have developed from their past meetings with the All Blacks, and how much they've taken from their late show against Wales. However, an admirable comeback pales in magnitude to the performance put in and result secured by New Zealand against an all-conquering Ireland side, and as such, we're tipping the All Blacks to progress to the World Cup final by at least eight points.

Result Australia (Unibet) UK (BetOnSports)
Argentina win 8.50 17/2
Draw (after 80 mins) 41.00 28/1
New Zealand win 1.08 1/12
Author(s)
Jonathan Burnett Photo
Jonathan Burnett

Freelance rugby union reporter for The Sporting News UK. 

Rugby Union
Rugby Union World Cup
New Zealand
Argentina
Argentina v New Zealand