New Zealand vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship result and final score as All Blacks crush Pumas

Beleaguered head coach Ian Foster finally found some relief and even hope in his home town of Hamilton where the All Blacks snapped a historic losing streak by beating Argentina 53-3 in a Rugby Championship test on Saturday.

The seven tries to nil win in wet conditions reversed the result of last weekend’s test which the Pumas won 25-18, ended an unprecedented run of three home defeats and brightened the All Blacks recent record of only three wins from their last nine tests.

Foster probably would have been clinging by a thread to the head coaching role if the All Blacks had lost again at the Waikato Stadium where Foster played many of his 148 games for Waikato province. He also played for and coached the Hamilton-based Chiefs in Super Rugby.

Saturday’s match was a homecoming for Foster and he found safe harbor in Hamilton, calm in the storm which has engulfed New Zealand rugby as the All Blacks have stumbled through the worst losing streak in their history.

It looked at various points during South Africa’s win over Australia like both sides were perfectly prepared to tear chunks out of one another, but all is fair in love and rugby.

Australia finish the competition with the first two of three Bledisloe Cup clashes, welcoming their trans-Tasman rivals to Melbourne on Thursday week before a trip to Eden Park to finish up their Rugby Championship campaign in New Zealand.

South Africa, meanwhile, have a full two weeks to prepare for a trip to Argentina before closing against Michael Cheika’s side in Durban.

That South Africa win leaves the Rugby Championship table deliciously poised ahead of the final two rounds. New Zealand’s sizeable win over Argentina earlier has lifted them to the top of the step-ladder, but just a single point separates all four teams. It’s wonderfully tight.

Australia never quite found their way into the contest. South Africa had the better of the physical battle virtually from the off and any hopes of a comeback were rather ended by the losses of Hunter Paisami and Noah Lolesio to injury either side of half-time.

That was pretty comprehensive from South Africa, a performance built on typical forward strength but containing some delightful touches in possession, too, to secure their first win in Australia since 2013. Siya Kolisi led his side superbly through a contest that threatened to bubble over a few times, while I thought the playmaking axis of Damian Willemse and Willie le Roux struck the right balance of control and creativity.

And Canan Moodie looks a player who could be a real star - his chase, leap and race to the line were truly effortless. A good start to life in test rugby for the debutant.

The hooter sounds, and Australia knock on inside their own 22. South Africa are content to say “no more” - victory for the Springboks.

A cynical slap-down from Willie le Roux but Australia score regardless! There were acres of space out on the left as Australia worked the hands, and Le Roux had little option but to gamble, shooting out and slapping down. That will be a clear-as-day yellow card, but Nic White is wise to possibilities that still remain, picking up and finding waiting teammates in the open acreage. Pete Samu trots in, Le Roux is shown yellow, and Australia will have one more crack after the conversion is missed.

Better from the Wallabies, hoping to deny South Africa a bonus point with a couple of late scores. Jake Gordon’s tempo is excellent at the base.