All Blacks survive, Wales rout Uruguay

Sport360 staff 23:03 20/09/2015
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  • Argentina led the All Blacks 13-12 at half-time in Wembley.

    Aaron Smith ignited a late revival as the All Blacks overhauled Argentina to start their World Cup defence with a 26-16 victory before a record crowd at Wembley Stadium.

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    The Pumas threatened an upset when they led 13-12 at half-time and jumped to a 16-12 advantage early in the second spell. The All Blacks superior possession advantage was crushed in a vice-like defence.

    But the gallant Pumas were worn down by the black machine in a fractious clash which saw three players yellow carded including All Blacks' skipper Richie McCaw for the third time in his 143-Test career.

    The All Blacks played nearly 20 minutes with a man down and with a two-man deficit for a few minutes when Conrad Smith was sent off before McCaw returned to the battle.

    But any hopes Argentina had of emulating Japan's stunning victory over South Africa evaporated in the 56th minute when scrum-half Aaron Smith darted around the side of a ruck for the All Blacks opening try.

    It revived the world champions who followed with a try to Sam Cane. Dan Carter converted both tries and landed four penalties.

    Argentina's first half lead was built on a try by 20-year-old lock Guido Petti converted by Nicolas Sanchez who also kicked two penalties. In the second spell Argentina were restricted to one further Sanchez penalty.

    Cory Allen scored a hat-trick as Wales laboured to a 54-9 victory over minnows Uruguay and suffered new injury scares in the World Cup.

    It was not the avalanche of points against the world's 19th ranked nation that the 71,800 crowd in the Millennium Stadium wanted. But it ensured a crucial bonus point in the battle with England and Australia for top place in Pool A.

    The Welsh scored four first-half tries, Samson Lee's effort preceding Allen's hat-trick. Hallam Amos, Gareth Davies (2) and Justin Tipuric crossed in the second period, Rhys Priestland hitting seven conversions. 

    Uruguay got off to an ideal start with a second-minute Felipe Berchesi penalty after Tipuric failed to stay on his feet at the first ruck.

    Berchesi, one of the rare Uruguay players to play in Europe – for Caracassone in France's second division, failed with a 53-metre effort but was on target minutes later after Jake Ball's high tackle.

    Priestland spurned two penalties from very kickable ranges to go for the corner, and from the second driving line-out, Lee crashed over for the opening try.

    Allen was the recipient of a delicate Priestland dink over the South Americans' defence, the centre squirming past Rodrigo Silva to score.

    Berchesi kept Uruguay in the game with a third penalty after another high Ball tackle before Allen was played in for his second after Scott Williams broke the line of a well-organised defence. 

    Worryingly for Wales, first prop Paul James went off and then full-back Liam Williams, making his comeback from a long injury lay-off and seen as the natural successor to the injured Leigh Halfpennny.

    Allen got his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time, Tipuric and Amos combining to hand the Cardiff Blues player the easiest of run-ins to guarantee Wales a bonus point in what promises to be the tightest of pools.

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