New breed of All Blacks rise to occasion, putting Argentina to sword in dazzling first half

Captain Kieran Read scores two tries and earns a yellow card as New Zealand flaunt depth in a 36-10 win over Argentina

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New Zealand captain Kieran Read scores one of his two tries in the victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires. Photo: AP

Published: 12:13pm, 1 Oct 2017Updated: 8:02pm, 1 Oct 2017

Holders New Zealand celebrated their fifth Rugby Championship in six years with four tries in a devastating first half to beat Argentina 36-10 at Velez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires on Saturday.

The All Blacks had retained their crown earlier in the day when South Africa were left without a chance of catching them in their final meeting next week after being held to a 27-27 draw by Australia in Bloemfontein.

Captain Kieran Read scored two tries as his team led 29-3 at the interval but earned one of two All Black yellow cards, the other going to Matt Todd, in a ragged second half for his team as the Pumas recovered from their poor, undisciplined first half when they had lock Tomas Lavanini sin-binned.

New Zealand players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Rugby Championship. Photo: Reuters

Wing Waisake Naholo and full back Damian McKenzie also scored first half tries as Argentina replied with a try from 80-cap veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamon and kept the All Blacks out until debutant David Havili went over for his side’s fifth after the full-time hooter.

“We ended up with a half of rugby that we aren’t overly excited about,” New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said.