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As it happened: All Blacks fend off physical Pumas with strong second half to score big win in Nelson

September 8, 2018

Relive 1 NEWS NOW's live coverage of this Rugby Championship clash between the All Blacks and Argentina from Trafalgar Park, Nelson.

FT: NZL 46-24 ARG

That's a wrap in Nelson. The scoreline isn't kind to a strong Pumas outfit who really pushed the ABs tonight but the NZ side was as clinical as ever in their attack and struck when they needed to. Stellar performance from Frizell tonight. Really thrown his name into the ring with good defence and a stellar running game. That's all from us in Nelson. Stay tuned for coverage from the post match press conferences.

80min: NZL 46-24 ARG

NZL TRY! WHAT A FINISH! All Blacks scoop up a knock on and launch a counter attack with McKenzie. He gets into the Pumas' 22m before finding support. It's recycled quickly by Tahuriorangi and he finds McKenzie. McKenzie no-look passes to Goodhue and he scores!

77min: NZL 39-24 ARG

Pumas will have one last attacking chance but they'll do it from their own half with a scrum 10m from halfway. Can they finish with a bang?

74min: NZL 39-24 ARG

NZL TRY! Frizell stretches out to score! It took 17 phases but the relentless attack pays off as Frizell picks and gos 2m from the line and muscles his way over to score. Special end to a special night and that should seal it.

72min: NZL 32-24 ARG

All Blacks back on attack after McKenzie is taken out in the air. Mo'unga finds touch and it's an ABs lineout 30m from the Pumas line.

71min: NZL 32-24 ARG

ARG TRY! Perfect set play sees Argentina score. They attack to the right and use a no-look pass to put Boffelli in a hole and he dives in to score. 

68min: NZL 32-17 ARG

Argentina still looking to break the line but they've earned another two penalites here. All Blacks need to be careful. Argentina use this latest penalty to set a 5m scrum in the middle of the field.

65min: NZL 32-17 ARG

Pumas continue to throw everything at the All Blacks and they're rewarded with a big penalty. They kick for touch and it's a 5m lineout for the Pumas.

62min: NZL 32-17 ARG

Heart-racing stuff as the Pumas kick for touch with a penalty from halfway. Smith manages to keep it in play but the bounce sits up almost perfect for the chasing Pumas. Pumas tap it ahead and Perenara swoops in in his goal to get a 22m dropout.

59min: NZL 32-17 ARG

NZL TRY! The All Blacks strike back! Argentina's clearance after the restart is brought back to 40m from the Pumas line by Smith. It's sent to the backline and Lienert-Brown sells a dummy to break into the backfield. He has support from Perenara and draws and passes to take Boffelli out of the play. Perenara takes it and dives under the posts for his second of the night.

57min: NZL 25-17 ARG

ARG THREE! Pumas get three as the ABs are penalised for hands in the ruck. 

54min: NZL 25-14 ARG

All Blacks clear but Argentina run it back with Boffelli again. He sidesteps Whitelock and gets back to the All Blacks' 22m. Argentina recycle quickly and go for a grubber but it deflects off Lienert-Brown's boot into touch. Pumas' lineout 30m from the ABs' line.

52min: NZL 25-14 ARG

Argentina attack after the All Blacks clear but their move down the right wing is bundled into touch. All Blacks lineout just inside their 22m.

50min: NZL 25-14 ARG

NZL TRY! All Blacks throw away the ball at the lineout but they're back in the Pumas' 22m thanks to superb return from Smith. ABs recycle quickly and have numbers to the right. It gets to Goodhue, he fends off one and offloads to Read who is one-on-one with 10m to go. Argentina sweep across to stop him but he's too big and strong as he goes in to the corner.

48min: NZL 18-14 ARG

All Blacks set the maul after the lineout and get a good drive on, leading to a penalty as the Pumas bring it down. Mo'unga finds touch again and it's an ABs lineout on the Pumas' 22m.

47min: NZL 18-14 ARG

Pumas attack the line again and again but the ABs won't break. Savea comes in over the top and forces the penalty for not releasing! Stellar play. All Blacks get out of jail as Mo'unga finds touch for an ABs' lineout 10m from halfway.

44min: NZL 18-14 ARG

Argentina playing with their tails up and are on the attack again! They run the ball to halfway after the kickoff and recycle quickly. There's space in the backfield and they float a kick into the ABs' 22m. Mo'unga is back to recover the bouncing ball but he fumbles it! It goes into the All Blacks' goal and Smith has to put it done with Argentina swarming. Pumas scrum 5m from the ABs line coming up.

42min: NZL 18-14 ARG

ARG TRY! Pumas strike! Sanchez sells a dummy and is one-on-one with Moody. Steps outside him and scores. What a start from the visitors.

40min: NZL 18-7 ARG

Argentina get us going again and they've got a turnover off the kickoff! 10m out. What a start!

HT: NZL 18-7 ARG

The Pumas are putting on a big challenge here and are unlucky to be down by what they are. That try-saving tackle from Perenara will be a nightmare for a long time, it was that close. New ABs starters Frizell and Tu'inukuafe are having sensational games tonight. Both running the ball well and ticking all the boxes with their roles. Mo'unga hasn't quite had the same impact but his boot has given them eight points so he's still contributing. We'll be back soon with the second 40.

40+1min: NZL 18-7 ARG

NZL THREE! Mo'unga strikes this one true and it's over. All Blacks build their lead after the hooter.

40min: NZL 15-7 ARG

All Blacks get one last chance here at points after Lienert-Brown makes a line break on halfway. He links up with Savea who goes down 25m from the Pumas' line. All Blacks try to go quick but the Pumas slap the ball from Perenara's hands and it's a penalty.

37min: NZL 15-7 ARG

All Blacks earn another penalty but Mo'unga hasn't found touch again. Pumas run it back and Boffelli carves his way to the All Blacks' 22m. Pumas putting all kinds of pressure on here.

36min: NZL 15-7 ARG

ARG NO TRY!  Pumas decide to return a kick from Milner-Skudder and Sanchez finds space down the right wing. He links up with Delguy and Delguy dives in to score while getting tackled by Perenara. They go upstairs to check the grounding and it reveals Perenara has got Delguy into touch by a single blade of grass! Insanely close. All Blacks 22m dropout to restart.

33min: NZL 15-7 ARG

All Blacks clear after the restart and it goes perfectly as the swamp the next ruck and earn a penalty. Pumas not releasing yet again. All Blacks lineout 5m inside Argentina's half. Just an update. Smith passed his HIA and is back on for McKenzie.

31min: NZL 15-7 ARG

NZL TRY!  All Blacks forwards muscle to within a metre of the line before Perenara sees his chance. Sells a dummy to the nearby forwards pod and dives in to score behind the rushing Pumas defence. Sneaky, cheeky - classic halfback try.

28min: NZL 10-7 ARG

The All Blacks lose the ball inches from the line and Argentina set a counter attack. But it comes undone when they're penalised for not releasing the ball so Mo'unga kicks for touch again. All Blacks with a lineout 15m from the Pumas line.

25min: NZL 10-7 ARG

Big chance for the ABs as the Pumas are penalised for not releasing. Mo'unga finds touch again and it's an All Blacks lineout 5m from the line.

24min: NZL 10-7 ARG

Pumas finally get their scrum right but it comes undone shortly after when they're penalised for not joining the ruck correctly. Mo'unga kicks for touch and it's an All Blacks lineout 10m inside the Pumas' half.

22min: NZL 10-7 ARG

All Blacks turn it over and Tu'inukuafe makes a linebreak in the middle of the field! His momentum catches up to him though and he falls to the ground. ABs recycle to the right and Smith tries to find support but his offload is forward. Argentina scrum on halfway.

21min: NZL 10-7 ARG

All Blacks show positivity after the kickoff and run it back to halfway but Goodhue gets isolated on the left wing and is penalised for not releasing. Argentina kick for touch and it's their lineout on the ABs' 22m.

19min: NZL 10-7 ARG

NZL TRY! Welcome back to the All Blacks Milner-Skudder! All Blacks get great territory after a barnstorming run by Frizell in the middle of the field. There's numbers to the right and they use it to give to Milner-Skudder who finishes in the right corner.

17min: NZL 3-7 ARG

ARG TRY! What a run from Moyano! He gets the ball 40m out and is marked by Perenara and Milner-Skudder. He fakes a step inside and runs to the left sideline, turning Perenara inside out and sprints in to score untouched. Pumas in front.

14min: NZL 3-0 ARG

Frizell makes a superb linebreak in the midfield. He looks for Naholo in support but his offload is intercepted. Pumas kick for territory and McKenzie gets back. His clearance is average and it's a Pumas lineout on the ABs' 22m.

12min: NZL 3-0 ARG

Another big scrum from the ABs and it forces a knock on from the Pumas at the back! ABs scrum now 10m inside their half.

10min: NZL 3-0 ARG

Three early changes for the ABs as Ben Smith comes off for an HIA. Retallick succumbs to his injury and Whitelock is in. Laumape is off with a leg injury too. That's got McKenzie out at fullback and Lienert-Brown in the midfield.

9min: NZL 3-0 ARG

Argentina go to a high kick after the dropout and it's recovered by the All Blacks. They make little ground in 10 phases but there's space down the right wing and they use it. Smith tries to link up with Mo'unga inside him but it's knocked on and Argentina recover. Pumas kick for territory again but Milner-Skudder is there to take it and clear. It doesn't find touch so the Pumas run it back. They're 10m inside the ABs half and a pass hits the ref so it'll be a Pumas scrum. Long passage of play.

6min: NZL 3-0 ARG

Argentina had a chance to strike back after the All Blacks were penalised shortly after the kick off but Sanchez has shanked his penalty goal to the right. All Blacks with a 22m dropout.

4min: NZL 3-0 ARG

NZL THREE! Nerves-settling kick from Mo'unga goes over. All Blacks take the early lead.

3min: NZL 0-0 ARG

What a start for Tu'inukuafe! The loosehead in his first start crunches his opposite and the Argentinian scrum collapses for an All Blacks penalty! Mo'unga grabs the tee and will take a shot at goal.

2min: NZL 0-0 ARG

Whitelock was ready to go by Retallick is staying out there. Restart with an Argentina scrum just outside their 22m.

1min: NZL 0-0 ARG

Early attacking chance for the All Blacks goes to waste as Mo'unga can't find touch with his first penalty kick of the night. Boffelli grabs it and clears but he misses touch too and the All Blacks run it back down the left wing. Taylor connects with Retallick and Retallick is hit hard and knocks it on. He stays down on the ground clutching his arm. Not looking good.

KICKOFF

All Blacks get things going in Nelson and we're underway!

PRE-MATCH

All Blacks are led by Perenara in the haka. It's Ka Mate and a a passionate challenge at that. Moments away from kick off.

There's a couple of tears from the Pumas during the anthem. They're up for the challenge!

What an atmosphere. Sold out crowd. Clear night. We're in for a stellar game of footy. Nine degrees, slight easterly of around 8km/h.

PREVIEW

With back-to-back victories over the Wallabies last month, the All Blacks can take a huge stride towards sealing another Rugby Championship title against Argentina tonight.

Nelson has been abuzz all week, hosting the All Blacks for the very first time in a Test match.

Coach Steve Hansen has made a number of changes for tonight's clash, with first-five Richie Mo'unga to take the reigns at in a highly-anticipated first Test start, while Chiefs halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi will debut from the bench.

The Pumas on the other hand, will be looking for the first ever victory over the All Blacks, and will no doubt be boosted by the Jaguares' recent successes in New Zealand.

TEAMS

All Blacks: 15. Ben Smith, 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13. Jack Goodhue, 12. Ngani Laumape, 11. Waisake Naholo, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 9. TJ Perenara, 8. Kieran Read (c), 7. Ardie Savea, 6. Shannon Frizell, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Brodie Retallick, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Karl Tu'inukuafe. 

Replacements : 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Tim Perry, 18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19. Sam Whitelock, 20. Luke Whitelock, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

Argentina:  15. Emiliano Boffelli, 14. Bautista Delguy, 13. Matias Moroni, 12. Jeronimo de la Fuente, 11. Ramiro Moyano, 10. Nicolas Sanchez, 9. Martin Landajo, 8. Javier Ortega Desio, 7. Marcos Kremer, 6. Tomas Lezana, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 4. Guido Petti, 3. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2. Agustin Creevy (c), 1. Santiago Garcia Botta.

Replacements : 16. Julian Montoya, 17. Juan Pablo Zeiss, 18. Gaston Cortes, 19. Matias Alemanno, 20. Pablo Matera, 21. Tomas Cubelli, 22. Bautista Ezcurra, 23. Juan Cruz Mallia.

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