A Will Jordan hattrick helped New Zealand breeze into the World Cup final after a clinical display against Argentina in Paris.
The match was characterised by the All Blacks’ total dominance at the breakdown, their remarkable prowess with ball in hand and Argentina’s ill-discipline.
Early scores for Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett set the tone within the first quarter of the match, before Shannon Frizell went over on the stroke of half time.
Another score for Frizell and two from Jordan followed Aaron Smiths try, which came practically from the halftime restart.
By the 50th minute, the All Blacks were ringing the changes with an eye on next week’s final.
New Zealand quickly set the tone, Sam Whitelock intelligently pulling the ball out of the ruck, before swiftly moving it, via a long pass from Richie Mo’unga, to find Will Jordan in acres to run over the first score.
A sharp breakaway from Rieko Loane took the All Blacks straight back up the pitch, and after a few more phases, Los Pumas defence had been dragged all over, with Jordie Barrett scoring in the corner.
And on the stroke of halftime Mark Telea wrestled through Argentina’s defence, before recycling quickly, to allow flanker Shannon Frizell to breeze over in the left corner.
As soon as Aaron Smith danced over to put New Zealand 25-6 up straight after the restart, the game felt done, and Jordan was later able to complete his hattrick, destroying any hope of a magic Argentine comeback.
