Australia v South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as dominant Springboks rout Wallabies
Australia 7-33 South Africa: The world champions showed their superiority at Suncorp Stadium to open their Rugby Championship campaign with a win
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South Africa showed their strength in a dominant performance as they kicked off the Rugby Championship with a 33-7 win over Australia in Brisbane.
The Wallabies had been three wins from three under new head coach Joe Schmidt, but were comfortably second best at Suncorp Stadium, unable to match the world champions’ set-piece superiority and physical edge. The Springboks were in total control for the entire contest, scoring thrice before half time having won the territorial battle, and adding two more tries after the interval to make totally certain as hot-stepping wing Kurt-Lee Arendse capitalised with a couple of scores.
Australia had their chances in the second half, but will rue their profligacy inside the visitors’ 22, coughing up possession repeatedly in advanced areas. For a young side in rebuilding mode after Schmidt’s appointment, there were signs of encouragement defensively but the hosts’ kicking game and attacking accuracy was short of the standards required to match Rassie Erasmus’ fearsome side.
The pair will meet again in Perth next week with the Springboks seeking just a second Rugby Championship crown since Argentina’s addition to the competition as they look to unseat defending champions New Zealand.
Follow all the latest reaction from Suncorp Stadium below:
New Zealand 23-22 Argentina, 47 minutes
A brace of changes for Argentina. It’s a first cap for young gun Efrain Elias, so impressive as captain at the U20 World Cup last month, in the second row, while Joel Sclavi replaces Eduardo Bello. “Sorry you didn’t get a scrum,” referee Angus Gardner quips to Bello as the tighthead is replaced - still we wait for that first skirmish as the first front-rower leaves the field.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 23-22 Argentina (Damian McKenzie, 47 minutes)
Effortless power in the strike from Damian McKenzie. The All Blacks lead once more.
New Zealand 20-22 Argentina, 46 minutes
A coach-killer of a penalty, Argentina almost instantly infringing after the restart. Damian McKenzie calls for the tee and will try to nudge the hosts back in front.
TRY! New Zealand 20-22 ARGENTINA (Franco Molina, 43 minutes)
Beautifully worked at the front and Franco Molina reaches to the line!
Superb! A dummy jumper at the back of the lineout distracts the All Blacks forwards, leaving them short of steel at the front. A grounded Franco Molina takes at the front and lets the wave carry him, the mass of his mates thumping into his midriff and driving the lock over for his first Test try. Santiago Carreras converts in fine fashion - Argentina lead at Sky Stadium!
New Zealand 20-15 Argentina, 42 minutes
New Zealand cycle through a load of phases inside their own half, ever a dangerous game. Sam Darry wins his collision but that leaves him exposed to the attentions of Pablo Matera, who finds the ball and forces darry to hold on.
Santiago Carreras’ touchfinder is spot on, the wind having died down completely. Argentina hooker Ignacio Ruiz will throw from five metres out.
Second half...
The players are back out there. All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan urges his side to “respect the ball” a little more in the second half, believing they have just been guilty of a few too many silly errors. Off we go again in Wellington.
HT: New Zealand 20-15 Argentina
Not a single scrum in that first 40 minutes - remarkable handling despite a high tempo.
Can the All Blacks power clear? South Africa have already made a significant statement of intent on the opening day of Rugby Championship action...
South Africa romp past Australia in Rugby Championship opener
Australia 7-33 South Africa: Kurt-Lee Arendse scored twice in Brisbane as the Springboks opened with a win on the road
HT: New Zealand 20-15 Argentina
Lively stuff in Wellington, New Zealand producing a couple of their trademark dances but finding Argentina enjoying the beat and going nearly step-for-step with the All Blacks. The hosts will surely produce their trademark second-half surge, but the Pumas are very much in the hunt.
HALF TIME: New Zealand 20-15 Argentina
New Zealand 20-15 Argentina, 40 minutes
An Argentina carrier is dragged into touch as the half-time hooter sounds. Off they all go for a much-needed rest after 40 mad minutes of high-octane action.
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