The All Blacks thump Argentina 39 - 0 at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast. Video / Sky Sport
Argentina coach Mario Ledesma was proud of the overall effort but lamented an ill-disciplined display in Sunday's heavy 39-0 defeat to the All Blacks.
After the great leap forward with the famous win in Sydney last year, the Pumas have now been held scoreless in their last twoclashes with New Zealand, while conceding a stack of points each time.
Argentina were typically resolute on Sunday, but struggled to get a foothold at any stage, spending most of the match camped deep in their own territory.
They barely had any good ball – with only three forays inside the opposition 22 in the game – and were forced to make almost twice as many tackles (199) as the All Blacks (108). The South Americans also conceded 18 penalties and had a player sinbinned in each half, after repeated infringements.
"It is difficult to get into the game when you are giving them so much," said Ledesma. "Most of the time they don't need that much ball to score.
"At the same time I was really proud of the effort because normally when you play like that against the All Blacks and you give them 70 per cent territory and possession and that [many] penalties and two yellow cards, normally the score is much higher."
Argentina coach Mario Ledesma following the defeat to the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport
The coach wants his side to be more clinical, and reduce their infringing, after similar issues in the second test loss to the Springboks.
"The common theme is ill-discipline," said Ledesma. "Twenty-three penalties [against South Africa], 18 [on Sunday] and two yellow cards. It's difficult to get any grasp of the game when you are being so ill-disciplined."
But the Pumas problems were a product of pressure; forced to defend wave after wave of attack.
They had some bright early moments – with Nicolas Sanchez making a promising break on the left, before some inroads on the other flank, but couldn't capitalise, and that was about it.
For most of the rest of the match they were hanging on grimly, and did it well in the first half, with lineout steals, desperate defence and turnovers keeping the All Blacks at bay.
Pumas player Jeronimo De la Fuente in action during his side's defeat to the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport
But it was fingernails down the cliff stuff, as they appeared constantly on the brink. And at times they were their own worst enemies; after repelling 13 phases just before the half-hour mark, captain Julian Montoya managed a strong turnover, only to see his teammate miss touch from the resulting penalty.
Argentina were also naïve. Out on their feet after a bruising first 40 minutes, they had a chance to put the ball into touch and head to the sheds, but chose to engage near halfway, with nothing on.
The All Blacks then won a penalty, rumbled downfield, and three minutes later had another try, with Pablo Matera sinbinned during the buildup. That double blow was a psychological hammer, and there was no coming back from a 22-0 deficit.
Ledesma wasn't making any excuses, but admitted their gruelling schedule since July, which has involved a seemingly constant treadmill of travel, quarantine and isolation bubbles, had taken a toll.
"[It's] better this year [than 2020] but it gets to you," said Ledesma. "It gets to players, gets to staff. It is what it is and if we don't accept that we are out of the picture. So we accept it."
Their road doesn't get any easier, as they face the All Blacks again in six days.
"We have a lot of things to fix and not much time," said captain Montoya. "We have to train well and train hard. There isn't a magic formula. We have to improve and keep going."
