New Zealand got off to a winning start in their Rugby World Cup campaign as they came from behind to beat Argentina 26-16 at Wembley this evening.
After a disappointing end to the first half, the defending champions recovered after the break with tries from Aaron Smith and Sam Cane to secure the win over their South American opponents.
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The All Blacks got off to a good start as Dan Carter's penalty inside five minutes gave them a 3-0 lead. Pablo Matera then picked up a sin bin for a late tackle on Julian Savea and Carter followed this up with another penalty in the 10th minute.
New Zealand continued to pile men forward during their one-man advantage and extended their lead in the 20th minute when the experienced Carter scored his third penalty of the night to make it 9-0.
Argentina suddenly hit back just two minutes later when Guido Petti surged towards the line and forced his way over to grab the first try of the game. Nicolas Sanchez then stepped up to make the conversion and reduce the deficit.
Richie McCaw received a yellow card 10 minutes from the break for a trip on Juan Imhoff and Sanchez followed this up with another penalty to give Argentina a 10-9 lead. The All Blacks continued to lose their discipline as Conrad Smith was also sent to the bin in the 38th minute.
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Sanchez stepped up yet again to maintain his 100% record but Carter managed to reduce their opponent's lead when he converted a penalty of his own to make it 12-13 going into the break.
Argentina started the second half brightly when Sanchez's penalty gave his side a four-point lead as they continued to hold New Zealand back with their numerical advantage.
However, the defending champions refused to lay down and they clawed their way back when Smith managed to dodge a tackle from Imhoff and score his side's first try of the game. Carter then stepped up to put the ball in between the posts.
Argentina tried to respond straight away as Sanchez chipped the ball forward for Imhoff to chase, but Beauden Barrett got under it and took it into touch for the All Blacks.
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Both sides continued to look for the next try and it was New Zealand who got it as they put together a string of passes before Cane dived over the line in the left corner. Carter then converted to make it 26-16 with 13 minutes to go.
The Pumas tried to claw their way back late on but it wasn't enough as New Zealand held on to secure their first win of the tournament.
Jens Raitanen
