Match Centre: New Zealand 53-3 Argentina

New Zealand 53-3 Argentina, Hamilton

New Zealand came up a seven-try performance as they trounced Argentina 53-3 in the fourth round of the Rugby Championship in Hamilton on Saturday.

The result will be a relief for the All Blacks after they lost to the same opposition with a 18-25 margin last weekend. They now move to the top of the Rugby Championship table with 10 points from four games while Argentina are at third with nine points.

Richie Mo'unga provided the early breakthrough for the All Blacks with a third minute penalty goal after Tomas Lavanini was guilty of a knock on and shortly Ethan De Groot touched down in the 11th minute after a well timed pass from Aaron Smith. Mo'unga kicked the conversion to make it 10-0.

Ian Foster's men further extended the lead as Caleb Clarke crossed over after good work from Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett and Reiko Ioane and Mo'unga improved it to extend their lead to 17-0.

Just over the half-hour mark, Emiliano Boffelli kicked a penalty goal which remained the only points for Argentina in the game but soon Tomas Lavanini was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Ardie Savea. With the numerical advantage on their side, Ioane crossed over after collecting a pass from David Havili and Mo'unga improved it as the home side completed the opening half with a 24-3 lead.

New Zealand were the quickest to get off the block in the second half as Mo'unga kicked a second penalty goal in the 46th minute extending their lead to 27-3 and the start of the final quarter Sam Cane offloaded to Jordie Barrett with the latter going over the line and Mo'unga improved it to make it 34-3.

With no response from Argentina, New Zealand dominated the closing exchanges with tries from Ardie Savea, Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett as Foster's men completed a convincing win.

Team line up:

New Zealand XV: E de Groot, S Taukei’aho, T Lomax; S Whitelock, S Barrett; S Frizell, S Cane (c), A Savea; A Smith, R Mo’unga; C Clarke, D Havili, R Ioane, W Jordan; J Barrett.

Reserves: D Coles, G Bower, F Newell, B Retallick, D Papali’i; F Christie, B Barrett, Q Tupaea.

Argentina XV: T Gallo, J Montoya (c), J Sclavi; G Petti, T Lavanini,; S Grondona, M Kremer, P Matera; T Cubelli, S Carreras; S Cordero, M Orlando, M Moroni, E Boffelli; J Cruz Mallia.

Reserves: S Socino, M Vivas, E Bello, M Alemanno, JM Gonzalez; G Bertranou, B Urdapilleta, L Cinti.