After producing the upset of the international calendar in 2024, Felipe Contepomi’s men arrived in Auckland hoping to end the All Blacks’ 30-year unbeaten record at Eden Park.
By half-time, their grand plans drowned a quick death like so many before them as the All Blacks took a 35-3 lead into the main break. Just minutes into the second half it was 42-3.
Nothing wakes the All Blacks up like a defeat on home shores, where the players can’t escape the national embarrassment.
“We spent all week looking ourselves in the mirror and we took it day by day,” acting captain Ardie Savea said.
“But we’re an All Black, we’ve got to bring that every week. We can’t rely on a loss to get that response, we’ve got to turn up every week.”
And wake Scott Robertson’s men did, with the core that delivered him seven Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders leading from the front.
Caleb Clarke crosses the line during the All Blacks’ dominant first-half against the Pumas at Eden Park on August 17, 2024 in Auckland. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Indeed, loose-head prop Tamaiti Williams, hooker Codie Taylor, flanker Ethan Blackadder and fit-again winger Will Jordan were four of the All Blacks’ best during their 42-10 demolition over Los Pimas on Saturday evening.
By hammering the Pumas, the All Blacks made it 50 wins on the trot at Eden Park.
But Savea made it clear the All Blacks had to develop and move past needing to rely on their fortress after some poor form across the rest of the country, including Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
“Yeah, it is [a proud moment], but we shouldn’t just rely on Eden Park,” Savea said. “We want to win every week, every stadium, wherever we are. We’re grateful to get the win.”
Savea was also awesome, with his early carry, where he sat down two Pumas defenders, setting the tone and laying down the law with his incredible physicality.
The tries didn’t necessarily occur in a flurry, but they came frequently as the All Blacks ran in five tries inside the opening 36 minutes.
Damian McKenzie started the rout, pouncing on a clever chip-kick from his playmaking buddy Beauden Barrett.
Then after Ardie Savea burrowed his way over, the All Blacks’ backline clicked into gear as Caleb Clarke, Jordan and Barrett scored. Meanwhile, McKenzie, who missed a very kickable penalty in the second half last week during their shock 38-30 loss in Wellington, brought his kicking boots as he produced a flawless display in the wet.
Beauden Barrett runs into score with former Hurricanes teammate TJ Perenara celebrating in the background at Eden Park. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
To Los Pumas’ credit, the South Americans never went away.
It looked like the All Blacks would easily hit the half-century as they went a point a minute during the opening 42 minutes, but from that point the Pumas held firm.
In the end, Juan Cruz Mallia eventually crossed for the visitors too. But poor handling and a scrum on roller skates denied the Pumas from closing the margin further.
