So dominant against Argentina in the World Cup semi-final, the All Blacks decided to play with 14 men out of choice
late ony the very end the All Blacks were down to 14 men. Not because one of them had been sent off, or because they had run out of fit replacements, but because, well, they felt like it. Scott Barrett had been sent to the sin-bin in the 65th minute for slapping the ball out of the hands of Argentina’s scrum-half Lautaro Bazán Velez, but when his time was up again the coaches didn’t even bother to bring him, or anyone else, back on to the pitch.
A good few of those minutes, it’s true, were before the referee actually blew his whistle, Argentina put in a fine performance at the anthems, when a couple of them broke down in tears, and were superb at facing up to the haka, when, they held their line, arms bound tight around each other, and stared down the New Zealanders.
When Gardner did, he spoke in crisp English, which is Montoya’s second language. It felt like World Rugby had made a mistake by not giving the match to a referee who could also talk Spanish. Although New Zealand were so good it wouldn’t have made so very much difference if Gardner spoke it like Gabriel García Márquez.The All Blacks played with ravenous intent, and pounced on every breakdown like hungry gulls swooping on fish and chips.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Live updates: Rugby World Cup semifinal New Zealand All Blacks vs ArgentinaNew Zealand's All Blacks and Los Pumas of Argentina meet at the Stade de France in Paris in the Rugby World Cup semifinal. Follow all the action in our live blog.
Read more »
Live updates: New Zealand cruise into Rugby World Cup final with dominant victory over ArgentinaNew Zealand are into a fifth Rugby World Cup final after a dominant 44-6 thrashing of Argentina at the Stade de France. Follow all the action in our live blog.
Read more »