Here’s your chance to make this right.
That was essentially the message to the All Blacks’ key game drivers during the week after being handed a chance to show they could master the game plan against Argentina at Eden Park on Saturday night.
This is a team that has the basic ingredients but one that has, so far this season, failed to put them together in a cohesive and compelling way. The recipe for redemption was a simple one: take what you have and let the individual flavours come through.
And so it was that home side, led by an energetic and enthusiastic Ardie Savea, went to work. There was a sprinkling of sublime skill, a healthy pinch of straight running, and a decent slug of set piece dominance, all seasoned to perfection with an expert eye for territory. The end result: a dish, served cold. The ultimate revenge.
Scott Robertson needed to see this forward pack stamp its authority on the Pumas. They did, and early. From Argentina’s very first ruck, the shoulders went to work. First the visitors went left and were stopped by Dalton Papali’i. Then they went right and were halted by Ethan Blackadder. One phase later, the ball was dropped. In real-time, this felt like a statement of intent. From that point on, the All Blacks rarely relinquished control of the ground contest.
Watch Scotty Stevenson and Pat McKendry break down the game on TVNZ+.
There were other moments early in the match during which the All Blacks proved they could learn in real-time and quickly. Having eschewed a first shot at goal after being awarded a penalty, the All Blacks chose to attack from the lineout. It was a wild night in Auckland, with heavy rain and a swirling, unpredictable wind. It, therefore, felt like a low-percentage play to throw long to the ensuing lineout. Codie Taylor did, all the same, and had the ball turned over.
That was a defining moment. From that point, the All Blacks’ offensive lineout operated with a greater focus on winning the ball in the most efficient and productive way, forgoing the obvious benefits of attacking off-back ball to ensure possession was retained. It also brought the lineout drive into play, which the pack used well throughout the night.
Just as it is in a great restaurant kitchen, a convincing test performance relies on preparation, organisation, and supreme calmness under pressure. Timing is the essence of cookery, and every one of the All Blacks’ six tries demonstrated incredible situational analysis. From Jordie Barrett’s catch and drop chip for McKenzie (and what a game the second five had), to TJ Perenara’s visionary dart down the blind to feed Will Jordan for his first try, the All Blacks spent the first 40 minutes of the match serving up a degustation of delight.
Without stretching the metaphor to breaking point, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the alchemy apparent in the relationship between McKenzie and Beauden Barrett. That cooks and spoiled broth adage is one to be mindful of when utilising two playmakers, but both looked totally at ease taking care of their respective elements of the match. McKenzie feasted on the steady supply of quick ruck ball, and Barrett assumed full control of the backfield. That harmony was music to the ears of a pack that spent most of the test with the ball in front of them.
As a contest, this one was done inside the first half. The Pumas simply weren’t allowed to get into the match. While they will, and should, be disappointed not to be able to muster the same energy as last week, Eden Park does something to teams. It forces them to contend with the hard facts of history, it drops doubt on every dream. Did this Pumas side really believe it was going to pitch up at the Fortress, deep in the darkest, dampest August, and expect the All Blacks to roll over? Not a chance.
Ahead, a different challenge. Having found their sweet spot to take the winning run at Eden Park to 50 tests, the All Blacks will be encouraged by their ability to elevate the basics through artistry. Waiting to test this recipe will be a Springbok side that has alloyed the basics to brutality. There is certainly no doubt that South Africans believe wholeheartedly in what they serve up.
The All Blacks may have turned up the heat at Eden Park but they can’t afford to take on the world champions underdone.
Watch Scotty Stevenson and Pat McKendry break down the game on TVNZ+.
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