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New Zealand had to fight back from a three-point half-time deficit to open the defence of their world crown with a 26-16 victory over Pool C rivals Argentina.
New Zealand quickly asserted their domination as fly-half Dan Carter landed three penalty kicks, and at this point the Pumas had barely woken up to make the Wembley showcase - in front of a World Cup record 89,019 crowd - anything nears a contest, with blindside flanker Pablo Matero sent tot he sin-bin after preventing a quick penalty.
But wake up they did as the South American side spurred into life, and they scored the first try of the match when second-row Guido Petti Pagadizaval went over from close range.
Soon enough, they were in the lead through a Nicolas Sanchez penalty, and worse was to come for the All Blacks as captain Richie McCaw was sent to the sin-bin where he was quickly joined by Conrad Smith as the reigning champions were reduced to 13. Carter added one more penalty before the break to bring the score back to 13-10.
Argentina were the first to add points after the break through another Sanchez penalty, but hat proved to be the final score of the game and New Zealand used their superior fitness levels to break down their Rugby Championship opponents and run in tries through scrum-half Aaron Smith and replacement Sam Cane. However, they were guilty of butchering three clear-cut chances to score, and will need to improve considerably if they are to retain their status as world champions.
So how did the players perform? Click on the gallery below to find out.
Show all 31 1 /31New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings <b>New Zeakland:</b> 15. Ben Smith – 7 Showed the threat he can pose with a darting run that nearly resulted in a try, and produced just as much in taking a threatening high ball before breaking a tackle and gaining 15m. Moved to the wing late on and looked even more of a threat.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder - 5 Lovely pick up off his toes nearly put Whitelock in, but left for dead by Senatore when the No 8 side-stepped him. Otherwise looked overawed by the occasion, and was hauled off midway through the second-half.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 13. Conrad Smith - 6 Saw a lot of the ball early but guilty of ill-discipline when he killed the ball as Argentina threatened. 10 minutes in the cooler alongside McCaw was his reward. Still, his importance to this side remains unquestioned, and he returned to restore some order to the backline. Could have seen a second yellow for a high tackle on Cubelli, but it would’ve been harsh.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 12. Ma’a Nonu - 5 Showed his strength on more than one occasion as he bounced off defenders, but looked off the pace and was caught out by the pacey Cordero when jogging back for a kick.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 11. Julian Savea - 6 One real chance to attack in the first-half, though his decision to come inside led him down a blind alley. Unusually quiet from there-on in, but his time at this tournament will come.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 10. Dan Carter - 6 Faultless from the tee with six from six, but otherwise had very little to do. Passing was solid as you’d expect, though he got caught with a nasty looking challenge to his knees late on. Thankfully, he bounced straight up.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 9. Aaron Smith - 7 Scored the try that broke the Pumas to put the All Blacks back ahead. Always looked to be on the shoulder, and he looked to prosper following the introduction of Sonny Bill Williams.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 1. Tony Woodcock - 4 A poor day by anyone’s standards, but for a 100-plus cap veteran, this will not be a day he fondly remembers after being dominated in the scrum.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 2. Dane Coles - 6 Under pressure in the front-row but he excelled at the lineout. One throw bounced on the blue half of the line, but apart from that he was on the money.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 3. Owen Franks - 5 Put under huge pressure from Ayerza, and it didn’t get much better as the match wore on. Did his fair share of tackling though.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 4. Brodie Retallick - 8 Carried hard but saw little give in the Argentina defence. Showed his delightful hands on more than one occasion, and those barn-storming charges in the first half turned into crucial gains in the second.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 5. Sam Whitelock - 7 Debatable whether he was taken early with the try line at his mercy, but failed to match the standards set by his fellow second-row. Still, not a bad day at all.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 6. Jerome Kaino - 6 Rather anonymous – like most blindsides – but did a lot around the fringes and in the ruck. Popped up on occasion out in the backs, though when resulted in the flanker taking a big hit.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 7. Richie McCaw - 6 Caught out with a needless trip on Cubelli to earn himself 10 minutes in the sin-bin that cost New Zealand 13 points, and wasn’t his usual effective self in the ruck. Despite that, it was poor taste to boo him during the post-match presentation.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 8. Kieran Read – 5 Had McCaw in for a try, only to pass the ball into touch, and he also knocked the ball on in contact when 5m out. Well below his normal standard.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings Best off the bench: Sonny Bill Williams – 7 Couldn’t have done more to press his claims for a starting spot, and managed to break the line with ease. Must have completed at least four of his renowned offloads in the 35 minutes he was on. Must start the next match for the lethargic Nonu, but then it is against Namibia.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings <b>Argentina:</b> 15. Joaquin Tuculet - 6 Showed his powerful running skill in returning the ball well, but faced an onslaught in the second half when his defensive line in front weakened.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 14. Santiago Cordero - 6 Showed he had the pace to threaten though starved of the ball. Brilliant high catch within 5m of his own line was a highlight.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 13. Marcelo Bosch - 6 Always looked to break when the counter was on. Didn’t get a chance to show off the big boot that he’s put to good use in nearby Barnet, and his positioning was suspect at times.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 12. Juan Martin Hernandez -6 His trickery was on display in the first half to launch a counter-attack, but sloppy kick went out on the full once he had moved to fly-half and didn’t stand out as many had hoped.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 11. Juan Imhoff - 7 The Pumas’ most attacking player when he got his hands on the ball, with Sanchez finding him on the inside shoulder. Lacked the space he needed to attack though.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 10. Nicolas Sanchez - 7 Started very well and his 100 per cent kicking record saw him grow in confidence. Ran out of steam quickly in the second period and that affected those outside him. Replaced with 15 minutes to go.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 9. Tomas Cubelli - 7 Gave his own and stood up to the challenge of Smith. Found his man more often than not with his passing. What more can you ask for?
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 1. Marcos Ayerza - 9 Phenomenal early on as the Puma tight-eight shoved the All Blacks off the ball, and his dominance over Franks may be why he was left on for the duration – an outstanding feat for a prop in this era.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 2. Agustin Creevy - 7 His lineout throwing was on the money throughout the 70 minutes he was on for, and the Pumas captain led from the front in defence.
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New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 3. Francisco Nahuel Tetaz - 7 Saw off the challenge from Woodcock that saw his opposite number hauled off. Struggled to impose as much dominance over Crockett though, perhaps due to tired legs.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 4. Guido Petti Pagadizabal - 6 The lucky man to score the first try of the match in front of a partisan Pumas crowd. Unfortunately, that was the last thing he did as he disappeared down the tunnel with injury.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 5. Tomas Lavanini - 6 Had to cope with the loss of his second-row partner and took command in the lineout as a result. Disrupted opposition ball which will remain a feather in his cap.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 6. Pablo Matera - 5 The first of three men to be sent to the sin-bin, and gave away a second penalty in the red zone when he could ill-afford to. Survived the wrath of Wayne Barnes though and kept his nose clean for the rest of the 80 minutes.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 7. Juan Fernandez Lobbe - 7 Tried to lead from the front by carrying a number of times, and his ability to offload kept the Pumas on the front foot for an hour.
New Zealand 26 Argentina 16 player ratings 8. Leonardo Senatore - 7 His flowing run past Milner-Skudder paved the way to Argentina’s first try, but soon faded in impact as New Zealand got on the front foot.
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