A relentless New Zealand overwhelms Argentina (6-44) and goes to the final of the Rugby World Cup

The most questioned All Blacks of the last decade will compete in the World Cup final in France. If in the last two years, with their ups and downs, they had shown that, in addition to being charismatic, they are mortal, in this championship they certify that, when results matter, they are screwed on the podium. Solid in defense, very sharp in attack, this Friday they confirmed it by defeating Argentina with indisputable resoundingness. On Saturday they will play their fifth final.

The Pumas were approaching this clash as the team with the highest percentage of possession and territory in the championship. And they started bossily, advancing by pushing into the rival 22 to take, on the second attempt, a converted punishment blow (min 5, 3-0). On the downside, indiscipline: two infractions in a row have given the All Blacks air. The black team had barely touched the oval and they already had a throw-in five meters from the try line, where they behave like sharks. Jordan score and comeback (min.10, 3-7).

Argentina insisted, transformed into a tractor. Short march, towards the front, overcoming obstacles, gaining the lead line and looking little to the sides. But with the test in sight, a lost ball showed him the cruelest lesson. The New Zealanders hunted it down, they accelerated like motorcycles, they opened wide, and from their dizzying excursion they returned with the second essay, by Jordi Barret (min. 15, 3-12).

If Cheika's Argentina exhibits anything, it is conviction in his plan. Until now, except against England, it had served him. Back on track, almost always at hand and in short order. In front, the New Zealand defense, although it retreated, never lost its position. After half an hour, the insistence of the Pumas, tough up front, had a smaller reward. The three points from a penalty blow (min 34, 6-12) were not enough, they had been one finger away from landing.

It took the New Zealanders less than three minutes to reestablish the safety margin (min, 38, 6-15) and they still added a third try, by Fritzell, before the break (3-20). Wait for the moment, swallow meters, add points. This is how the All Blacks machinery smokes.

In some way, the first half summarized the trajectory of both throughout the championship. The Americans had scored 17 tries and the Oceanians, 41. It is much more difficult for the Argentines to score points, this Friday they have not been bad with the ball in their hands; His problem began when, due to defense or fatigue, he slipped away. Then the black display at the sprint dismasted them.

After conceding three goals in 40 minutes, the Pumas were forced to perform heroics in the second half. His chances were extinguished in minutes. The men in black easily dominated a scrum on the edge of the 22 and their number 9, Smith, showed experience and ability to go to the closed side (min. 43, 6-27).

It didn't take long for the other medium, Mounga, to demonstrate that he is a master at space intuition. The offensive began that led to the fifth black goal and a very eloquent score (min. 50, 6-34). The match was a monologue, Will Jordan won the sixth (min. 62, 6-39). And the seventh, in a counterattack (min. 74, 6-44) There is no limit to this player's voracity: 31 marks in 30 international matches. Legendary numbers for the World Cup's top scorer.

The oceanic exhibition has been a somewhat excessive punishment for Argentina. She was excited at the beginning, she looked confident, she even fulfilled the first commandment of imposing her lead. He could not, on the contrary, avoid New Zealand's rapid transitions. The contained score to which he aspired was a chimera.

The clash ended uncontrollably, with the Pumas trying to find the test of honor. They didn't get it. Already defunded, they were dominated even in territory and possession. The South Americans had conceded seven goals throughout the tournament, seven more they received this Friday. All, with the dedication of the All Blacks. When they step on the opposite 22, there is no mercy possible for the rival.