Argentina 6-44 New Zealand: Will Jordan stars as All Blacks march into World Cup final after crushing win over Pumas

Three-time champions New Zealand romped into the Rugby World Cup final with a thumping 44-6 win over Argentina after a composed and clinical semi-final masterclass in Paris.

The All Blacks will face South Africa or England, who face off at the Stade de France on Saturday, for the trophy and on this evidence, they will take some beating in their fifth final appearance.

Tries from Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett and Shannon Frizell sent Ian Foster’s men in at the break with a healthy 14-point lead thanks to a combination of devastating attacks and ferocious work at the breakdown.

Emiliano Boffelli’s boot earned the Pumas six hard-earned points to keep them in sight in the first half, but that proved to be as good as it got as Argentina were kept scoreless in a one-sided second half.

Frizell added a second and Jordan completed a hat-trick with a superb individual effort, while Aaron Smith also got in on the action as New Zealand ran in seven tries as the contest became a rout.

The result highlighted the stark difference in quality between the two sides of the draw – a big point of controversy at this World Cup – and All Blacks coach Foster even had the luxury of being able to take off the likes of Beauden Barrett, Smith and Codie Taylor early without fear of impacting the result.

There were several contenders, and you could argue Jordan didn’t influence the game as much as some of his team-mates, but the wing deserves recognition for scoring a World Cup semi-final hat-trick, something that had only been done twice before, by Adam Ashley-Cooper in 2015 and Jonah Lomu in 1995.

The third was particularly special, a weaving run, clever kick and good gather to score a solo effort, and Jordan’s outrageous stats become more outrageous with every game – he now has 31 tries in 30 Tests for the All Blacks.

How could we? Ahead of the World Cup, all the talk was about the title chances of hosts France, world No. 1 side Ireland and reigning champions South Africa – especially after the Springboks trounced New Zealand with a historic 35-7 victory at Twickenham in their final warm-up game.

But when the big games begin, the All Blacks show up. They didn’t face the same challenge that they did against Ireland a week ago, but any chance of an upset was quickly and brutally extinguished as they put in a ruthless display of attacking efficiency.

A shot at a record fourth World Cup crown awaits and they will fancy their chances on this form, regardless of if they face the Springboks or England.

Argentina: Mallia 5, Boffelli 6, Cinti 6, Chocobares 5, M. Carreras 5, S. Carreras 5, Bertranou 5; Gallo 6, Montoya 6, Gomez Kodela 5, Petti 6, Lavanini 5, Gonzalez 6, Kremer 6, Isa 6

Subs: Creevy 5, Sclavi 5, Bello 5, Bruni 5, Alemanno 6, Velez 5, Sanchez 6, Moroni 6

New Zealand: B. Barrett 7, Jordan 8, Ioane 7, J. Barrett 8, Telea 8, Mo’unga 7, Smith 8; De Groot 7, Taylor 7, Lomax 7, Whitelock 8, S. Barrett 6, Frizell 8, Cane 7, Savea 8

Subs: Taukei’aho 7, Williams 7, Newell 7, Retallick 7, Papali’I 6, Christie 7, McKenzie 7, Lienert-Brown 7

12’ TRY! ARGENTINA 3-5 NEW ZEALAND (JORDAN)

Smith makes a dive for the line but he’s just short. They keep flinging bodies at the try line before spinning it wide and Jordan is there in space to dive over for the first try of the game!

17’ TRY! ARGENTINA 3-12 NEW ZELAND (J. BARRETT)

Heartbreak for Argentina as they go through the phases just outside the All Blacks 22 but get turned over, and the New Zealanders quickly get it wide and turn defence into attack. Fantastic handling and speed has them inside the Pumas 22 in the blink of an eye. Can they get a second try on the board? Yes they can! It’s spun out to the right wing, where Jordie Barrett is waiting to dive over in the corner! Mesmerising stuff from the All Blacks.

40’ TRY! ARGENTINA 6-20 NEW ZEALAND (FRIZELL)

What a way to finish! Telea creates the opening as he dances through some tackles to go just short of the line, and the ball is quickly flung wide to Frizell for a simple dot-down in the corner. Another smooth, patient score from the All Blacks, who have been clinical in the red zone tonight. Mo’unga’s conversion hits the post, and the whistle goes for half time.

44’ TRY! ARGENTINA 6-27 NEW ZEALAND (SMITH)

What a try and that could be game over! New Zealand with a MASSIVE scrum over by the touchline drive the Pumas backwards. Savea pops it up to Smith, who skips inside one defender to break clear, throws a dummy and dives over the line. Fantastic finish from the scrum-half and a dream start to the second half from New Zealand. Mo’unga adds the extras and it’s a huge lead for the All Blacks.

50’ TRY! ARGENTINA 6-34 NEW ZEALAND (FRIZELL)

New Zealand get penalty advantage but they continue to be thwarted by some excellent Argentina defence. Eventually it’s breached by that man Frizell once again, as he barges through two tacklers to wrestle the ball over the line. Two tries for Frizell, five for New Zealand, and it’s goodnight Argentina. Mo’unga converts.

63’ TRY! ARGENTINA 6-39 NEW ZEALAND (JORDAN)

The All Blacks make it look so simple once again. Big carries to break the line, quick ball at the ruck, and Jordan is there in the corner to make the simplest of finishes. That’s his second and New Zealand’s sixth. Mo’unga’s conversion goes wide, however.

75’ TRY! ARGENTINA 6-44 NEW ZEALAND (JORDAN)

Sensational score! Jordan marks his hat-trick in style with an outstanding individual effort, weaving through defenders from inside his own half before kicking over the last man, gathering his own kick and diving over. Superb stuff from the wing.

• The All Blacks’ 38-point margin of victory over Argentina was the largest in a men’s World Cup semi-final since 1987 (New Zealand 49-6 Wales)
• Will Jordan is just the third player to score a hat-trick in a men’s World Cup semi-final after Jonah Lomu v England in 1995 and Adam Ashley-Cooper v Argentina in 2015