Thank you for your company this morning. For the neutral, that was not a particularly enjoyable game, but for the All Blacks and their fans, it only means one thing – they are through to another World Cup final.
The All Blacks are riding a rich wave of form, their forwards are dominating opposing packs and Will Jordan is scoring tries for fun. They are absolutely clinical.
England fans will hope that they can compete with South Africa in the second semi-final tomorrow morning. We will see. Join us for it.
New Zealand’s Tamaiti Williams greets fans after the Rugby World Cup semifinalCredit: AP
Argentina coach Michael Cheika
“It’s incredibly disappointing for us, the effort was huge, they put everything out there, it was just in the details of the game, in transition and scrums, the last few minutes before and after half time, those are nuances we don’t have in our game. We have a lot to be proud of our players, I know the score is hard...they just didn’t have the class to match New Zealand.”
New Zealand captain Sam Cane
“It means a heck of a lot, it was a tough game out there tonight, our forwards did an outstanding job tonight. We’re in a great spot going into the final, there were heaps of black jerseys out there tonight and we know there are lots of people watching at home.”
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Who did you have as player of the match?
New Zealand win 44-6
The All Blacks are back into a World Cup final.
We all hoped that this would be more of a contest after getting spoilt by last weekend’s quarter-finals, but it wasn’t to be.
The neutrals will be hoping that England and South Africa serve up a better semi-final tomorrow morning.
Argentina 6, New Zealand 44 at full-time.
Will Jordan scores New Zealand’s seventh tryCredit: Getty
Richie Mo’unga butchers try scoring chance at the death
Richie Mo’unga just had to give it to Will Jordan and he was through for a record breaking fourth try.
Argentina are still fighting to the very end. The merciful amongst us wished they had kicked it out.
Argentina 6, New Zealand 44 after 82 minutes.
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Fantastic solo try by Will Jordan
Will Jordan scores an exceptional try.
Running from his own half, he carves through the Pumas defence, deftly chips over, collects the ball and scores.
A bloodied Richie Mo’unga misses the conversion. All this happened while New Zealand were a man down.
Argentina will be willing this game to be over.
Argentina 6, New Zealand 44 after 74 minutes.
Cheika searches for answers
Cheika is chatting animatedly to his coaches and consulting the laptop furiously.
Sadly, even the most powerful computer will not have answers for this clinical All Blacks side.
Argentina will be deeply disappointed by tonight’s performance. Few expected them to win, but most expected them to put up a fight.
This is not a good advert for the final four of rugby.
Argentina 6, New Zealand 39 after 72 minutes.
Ardie Savea carries the ball forwardCredit: AP
Scott Barrett yellow card
Scott Barrett is given a yellow card for cynically slapping the ball away from Argentina substitute scrum half Lautaro Bazan Velez.
A selfless decision from one of the decorated Barrett brothers.
He is trying to make this a more even contest for the neutrals.
Argentina 6, New Zealand 39 after 67 minutes.
Argentina’s players react during the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and New Zealand Credit: AP
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Will Jordan scores
Winger Will Jordan almost looks sheepish scoring in the corner.
He probably hasn’t felt this bad since he was running in tries for fun in Under 10s rugby.
This is sad to see for Argentina, a proud rugby nation who competed so well against Wales last week. You really hope that England and South Africa can serve up a more competitive game.
Mo’unga is getting plenty of kicking practice and misses off the tee.