Both countries made nine changes from their first round games, and the contrast was stark. While Argentina stretched South Africa on Thursday, a rejuvenated New Zealand was overwhelmingly superior to the junior Pumas. New Zealand led 47-14 at halftime and finished with four tries in the last quarter.
New Zealand won a tighthead from the first scrum in an ominous beginning. Maloni Kunawave broke through initially. The winger chipped ahead, Argentina fumbled, and Kunawave hurried through to gather the spillage and score. Argentina responded promptly, through left-wing Martiniano Arrieta, but the floodgates soon opened.
Strong surges from Finn McLeod and Eli Oudenryn had Argentina backpedaling. Six swift passes to the right flank, followed and Kunawave, turned provider for captain Mosese Bason.
Riley Tofilau from the Northcote Rugby Club was impressive. A one-armed offload to Josh Tengbald saw the Dunedin Sharks lock cross for a third try.
Petone fullback Stanley Solomon was relatively subdued when compared to his electric display against Australia. Still, there were moments of quality from the Wellington flyer. A 50/22 kick pinned the Pumas in their territory and was the catalyst for a second Bason try, rampaging down the left wing sideline.
A swirling Charlie Sinton box kick was dropped by fullback Sebastian Duuc. Tofilau urgently palmed the ball infield as it drifted towards touch. From the advantage, New Zealand stretched Argentina, leaving space for Sinton to jab a kick forward for Kunawave to latch onto.
Argentina won a brief reprieve with a penalty and a try from a lineout drive before normal transmission resumed. McLeod barged off four defenders in an angry charge reminiscent of his late grandad, All Black Alex‘ Grizz’ Wyllie. Grammar Tech’s Caleb Woodley trailed on the inside, autographing the score sheet.
New Zealand showed their lineout could be a weapon. Clean ball was secured by the two jumper and hooker Eli Oudenryn came rocketing around the corner. The tackle count after 40 minutes was New Zealand 15, Argentina 103.
The scoreline allowed New Zealand to empty the bench earlier than perhaps anticipated. It took time for new combinations to settle, things finally clicking in the 63rd minute when replacement prop Tamiano Ahloo cannoned over from close range.
Midfield back Micah Fale was the best of the reserves with a series of combative runs. David Lewai scored twice, one of his tries created by Shaun Kempton trying to impersonate Mo Salah with some eye-catching dribbling
New Zealand Under 20: 75 (Maloni Kunawave 2, Mosese Bason 2, Josh Tengblad, Caleb Woodley, Eli Oudenryn, Tamiano Ahloo, David Lewai 2, Taniela Maisiri tries; Will Cole 8 cons, Rico Simpson 2 cons) Argentina Under 20: 21 (Martiniano Arrieta, Nicolás Cambiasso, Juan Ignacio Races tries; Arrieta 3 cons) HT: 47-14
New Zealand can successfully defend its Rugby Championship title with a win against South Africa in their last fixture on Sunday May 12 at 2:00am (NZST).