Well, the All Blacks have begun 2019 in style, comfortably putting Argentina to the sword by 4 points in the opening match of this years Rugby Championship campaign (Well, we're looking good at the start) so here is the match commentary:
Kia ora, good morning and welcome to live updates of the Argentina vs All Blacks at the Estadio José Amalfitani in Buenos Aires.
This is the All Blacks' first test match of 2019 as preparations for this years Rugby World Cup starts to heat up.
The test is the 1st of 5 games New Zealand will play before their World Cup defence begins against South Africa on September 21 in Yokohama.
New Zealand have never been defeated in 28 meetings with Argentina, although the Argentinians managed a 21-21 draw in 1985.
Lineups
All Blacks: 1-Ofa Tuungafasi, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Angus Ta'avao, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Patrick Tuipulotu, 6-Vaea Fifita, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Jordie Barrett, 12-Ngani Laumape, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Ben Smith
Reserves: 16-Liam Coltman, 17-Atu Moli, 18-Nepo Laulala, 19-Jackson Hemopo, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-Brad Weber, 22-Josh Ioane, 23-Braydon Ennor
Argentina: 1-Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2-Agustín Creevy, 3-Juan Figallo, 4-Guido Petti, 5-Tomas Lavanini, 6-Pablo Matera (c), 7-Marcos Kremer, 8-Javier Ortega Desio, 9-Tomás Cubelli, 10-Nicolás Sánchez, 11-Ramiro Moyano, 12-Jerónimo de la Fuente, 13-Matías Orlando, 14-Matías Moroni, 15-Emiliano Boffelli
Reserves: 16-Julián Montoya, 17-Marco Vivas, 18-Santiago Medrano, 19-Matías Alemanno, 20-Tomás Lezana, 21-Felipe Ezcurra, 22-Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23-Joaquín Tuculet
Match Officials
Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (IRE), Alexandre Ruiz (FRA)
Television match official: Graham Hughes (ENG)
5:40 AM: Hello everyone. We're about 25 minutes away from kickoff No late changes to the starting teams for the test.
5:41 AM: While we wait, you can read the match report from the Springboks' commanding 35-17 win over the Wallabies at Ellis Park.
5:55 AM: 10 minutes away now. There is a decent crowd at Estadio José Amalfitani.
5:57 AM: Both sides are heading out onto the field.
6:00 AM: Time for the national anthems & the traditional Maori haka by the All Blacks.
6:05 AM: Both anthems done. I must say, Argentina's one was really nice. This was the first time I've heard it in its entirety. It was quite long, but it was almost performed like a rock ballad.
KICK OFF: Finally, we're underway in Buenos Aires. The Pumas get us started, and Ngani Laumape takes the first hit up.
1ST MINUTE, PENALTY: Early penalty for Argentina as Jordie Barrett made contact with a player in mid air. Timing was just off. Nicolás Sánchez to take a shot at goal from 40 out.
2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL ARGENTINA: Sánchez nails the goal and the Pumas have the lead early.
3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Pumas are showing their intent early in the contest. The All Blacks were on the cusp of the 22, but they find themselves back on halfway.
4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Argentina now on the counter-attack after Sam Cane leaves the ball behind in a tackle. The Pumas clear it and after taking a couple of tackles, Beauden Barrett smashes the ball downfield.
5TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Another penalty to Argentina. This time it's against Vaea Fifita. It is right on the halfway line, and the Pumas want another shot at goal. This time, Emiliano Boffelli will take the long range shot.
7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL ARGENTINA: No mistake from Boffelli who doubles Argentina's lead.
8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: A forward pass is called, and the Pumas will have a scrum inside the All Blacks' half.
9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: A double knock-on, but the 1st was against the All Blacks, so another scrum to the Pumas.
11TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Fifita makes a high tackle, and it is within range of Boffelli, but the hosts opt to kick for touch instead.
13TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: The Pumas win the lineout and then go charging towards the line, and Pablo Matera makes a strong carry. They get the ball out quick, and Sevu Reece makes a massive tackle in front of the posts which leads to a knock-on. The All Blacks did a great to survive that onslaught.
15TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Ardie Savea goes for a big run off the back of the scrum. The All Blacks win their first penalty of the game.
16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): From the lineout, Beauden Barrett tries a little trick play. but Boffelli gets to the ball first with Laumape chasing hard.
17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: The All Blacks have the ball for the first time inside the 22. Savea with another strong run. NZ now have a penalty advantage. Dane Coles, nearly goes over but the ball is held up, and Angus Gardner comes back for the penalty.
18TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Goodness me! It didn't look like it at 1st, but Ngani Laumape goes over the line for the first try of the game. First real attacking chance which leads to points.
19TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION ALL BLACKS: Beauden Barrett adds the extras, and the All Blacks lead 7-6.
20TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ardie Savea and Sevu Reece have been the standouts so far for the All Blacks. Both players looking good. The Pumas have the ball inside NZ's half, and they launch an attacking bomb.
21ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL ARGENTINA: The Pumas have been awarded a penalty as one of the AB's players handles the ball from an offside position, and Sánchez lands his 2nd goal of the game. Argentina leads 9-7.
23RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: The All Blacks win the ball from the restart and a couple of plays later, they get a penalty for a ruck offence. Beauden Barrett to go for points.
24TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL ALL BLACKS: There is no mistake from in front and New Zealand are back in front.
26TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: An overthrow from Argentina at the lineout and Dane Coles swoops on the loose ball, but the hooker knocks the ball on. Scrum to the hosts.
28TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Argentina back on the attack, but the AB's defence holds firm.
29TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A golden opportunity blown for the All Blacks. Sevu Reece with the Ken Maumalo type of run and finds Beauden Barrett in support, but nobody is in support of the first-five. Sadly the ball goes out to Jordie Barrett, and the left winger bobbles the ball into touch.
31ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty to the AB's and Beauden Barrett kicks for touch. They will have a line out 5 out from the line.
32ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Argentina defence is good, but they concede a penalty for taking a man out at the ruck. They kick for the corner yet again.
33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ben Smith bursts into a hole, and Ramiro Moyano makes a try-saving tackle on the All Blacks fullback.
35TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Another error by Fifita. Argentina look very tired right now, and they're taking their time to set the scrum.
36TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Tremendous scrum by the All Blacks and they win a penalty. It's right in front of the posts about 40 out and Sam Cane points straight to the posts.
38TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL ALL BLACKS: No mistake from the All Blacks first-five who extends the lead.
39TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: A huge try here which will have a massive impact on the game. Nicolás Sánchez throws a pass, and it has been intercepted by Brodie Retallick who strolls over.
40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION ALL BLACKS: Beauden Barrett nails the conversion, and the All Blacks lead 20-9. Time for one last play before halftime.
HALFTIME:The All Blacks lead 20-9 at halftime, Brodie Retallick and Ngani Laumape with the tries. Ardie Savea has been the best player out on the field with debutant Sevu Reece also playing well.
40TH MINUTE: The All Blacks get the 2nd half under way in Buenos Aires. Argentina clear the ball and it comes off 'Beaudy' Barrett and into touch. Argentina have a line out just outside the 22.
42ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Amazing, glorious play by the All Blacks, who absolutely win a penalty and they now get the chance to hoof the ball away.
43RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks steal a line out throw and have the ball on halfway.
45TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Argentina win a penalty as a man is taken out off the ball. They are kicking for the corner.
47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ARGENTINA: Emiliano Boffelli scores a stunning try - Argentina's first try of the match. Nicolás Sánchez kicks high in the air, and Boffelli strips the ball off Ben Smith to score.
48TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION ARGENTINA: Sánchez lands the conversion and the AB's lead is now only 4.
49TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Argentina take a couple of changes. Agustín Creevy has gone off. As I type that, Jordie Barrett makes a error as he carries the ball inside the 22 and kicks the ball into touch on the full.
50TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Another penalty to Argentina. They are going for the posts this time.
51ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY MISS: Nicolás Sánchez with arguably his easiest penalty attempt of the day and he misses.
52ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER) Then Ardie Savea is flattened by one of the Pumas players. BOOMFA!
53RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The ball is back just outside the Pumas 22 and then clear the ball to Jordie Barrett. Time is off as there was an incident off the ball involving Dane Coles.
54TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty given to Argentina due to an incident off the ball involving Coles. Didn't look like much but was a penalty.
55TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A mistake by Argentina lets the AB's of the hook. Beauden Barrett goes for a run, but cannot find much space. They run the ball out of the 22 and they kick a grubber to get out of the danger zone.
57TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM & SUBSTITUTION: The All Blacks beginning to build the pressure on, but Jordie Barrett loses it forward in a tackle. Luke Jacobson comes on for his debut and Jackson Hemopo comes on also. Patrick Tuipulotu and Vaea Fifita make way and both will be disappointed with their efforts.
59TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A few scrum resets...Looks like Atu Moli and Nepo Laulala will be coming on soon.
60TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: A forward pass is called against New Zealand. Scrum to Argentina on the halfway line.
61ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Emiliano Boffelli comes off for Joaquín Tuculet with the AB's bringing both Angus Ta'avao & Ofa Tu'ungafasi off too.
63RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: The All Blacks are pinned inside their half and Beauden Barrett fakes a kick before clearing. Argentina make a mistake on the counter-attack.
64TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Beauden Barrett makes a half break and offloads to Sam Cane, who drops the ball. His hands have let him down in this match.
66TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A scrum on the halfway line to the home side.
68TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A potential try here to Argentina. I'm not sure, but they're going to the Television Match Official with the on-field decision of try. This is a massive call.
NO TRY ARGENTINA: Beauden Barrett managed to tackle Matías Moroni into touch before he threw the ball back infield. All Blacks lineout.
69TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Argentina win the ball from the All Blacks lineout, and now they're driving closer and closer to the line. But a mistake by Matías Orlando sees New Zealand get the ball.
71ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Less than 10 minutes remain here. There is a double knock on, so a scrum to the Pumas.
73RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The Pumas dominating possession on the halfway line, but Liam Coltman turns the ball over and they trap Argentina inside the 22.
74TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Debutant Braydon Ennor makes a good run and they're inside the 22, but NZ knocks the ball on.
75TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A half chance nearly turns into something for the All Blacks, but the last pass goes to ground again.
77TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): 3 minutes remain in Argentina. That missed penalty could come back to hurt Argentina who could have tried to set up for a drop goal. But they need a try to win the game & make history.
78TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): 2 minutes remaining. A scrum to Argentina on halfway.
79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: A penalty advantage to Argentina. They're just outside the 22.
80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Now a line out to the Pumas 5 metres out from the line.
80TH MINUTE + 1ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Another advantage to Argentina. They go for the corner again as the siren goes off.
FULL TIME - The Pumas drive, but Angus Gardner gives a scrum to the All Blacks and then he blows his whistle. New Zealand survive, despite not scoring in the 2nd half.
7:53 AM: Thank you for tuning in. Remember, the All Blacks face the Springboks next weekend in Wellington.
ARGENTINA 16-20 ALL BLACKS
And in other Rugby Championship news such as the 2nd string Springboks team who were too good against the Wallabies (Who were without Israel Folau after his contract with Australia rugby had been let go), thrashing them 35 - 17 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg (Including both tries by new Springbok halfback Herschelle Jantjies but there were 2 yellow cards from both sides including a head high tackle/high shot by Springbok second five Andre Esterhuizen on Tom Banks & a no arms tackle without the ball to the chest by the Tongan Thor, Taniela Tupou on Rynhardt Elstadt (He would've been red carded or should I say sent off the field in disgrace (Well, that was unacceptable) which was an absolute game changer).
And finally the Maori All Blacks deserve some revenge against Fiji (Who had beaten them in Suva) 26 - 17 at the Rotorua International Stadium in Rotorua (It was cold there compared to Suva which was hot).
So that is my 298th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 38th of this year (There is only 2 blogs left until I reach the big 300).
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