All Blacks ‘alpha move’ in the latter stages of World Cup win over Argentina
All Blacks Aaron Smith and Richie Mo'unga celebrate during the Rugby World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis
The All Blacks’ decision to finish the Rugby World Cup semi-final against Argentina with 14 men has not gone unnoticed.
New Zealand lock Scott Barrett was yellow carded in the final quarter of the match for a deliberate knock-on, but when he was eligible to return, the All Blacks coaching staff opted to see out the game a man short.
All Blacks finish the game with 14 men
When Barrett was eligible to return after his 10 minutes in the sin bin, the men in black were already leading 44-6 and went on to win the match by that margin and progress to the final.
“It was an opportunity for us to make sure we look after our resources the best we could,” All Blacks coach Ian Foster explained after the game.
“We didn’t see a need to put ‘Scooter’ [Barrett] back on only from a perspective of if he had another yellow card in the next five minutes, it would have made it a little niggly for us.
“It was just a precautionary-type decision.”
Reaction
While the coach said it was just a precaution, the reaction from fans and pundits was far different.
“Sad night for Puma fans, let’s hope we get an epic final, cause this is just ridiculous. All Blacks deciding to play with 14 just because they couldn’t be bothered playing with 15,” Joe Naughton wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Niall McVeigh said that it was just another embarrassment for Argentina in a poor performance.
“New Zealand aren’t going to send Scott Barrett back on, adding another layer of embarrassment to this second-half demolition job,” McVeigh wrote during the Guardian’s live coverage of the semi-final.
Meanwhile, rugby writer Jamie Wall felt that it was an alpha move from New Zealand.
“Alpha move by the All Blacks to play out the game with 14 men by choice,” his post on X read.
One fan added that it showed how poor the Pumas were.
“The All Blacks have to opted to keep playing with 14 men; that’s how horrible the Pumas have been,” their post said.
Irish Independent writer Ruaidhri O’Connor agreed, adding: “Scott Barrett can come back on after his yellow card, but New Zealand have chosen to play the last five minutes with 14 men. In a World Cup semi-final. Speaks volumes.”
That view was largely shared amongst those watch, The Loose Head posting: “Finishing the game with 14, by choice, in a RWC semi-final. I mean. Sums this up.”
Planet Rugby’s James While believes that the tactic should not be allowed to happen.
“One minor gripe last night – WorldRugby need to ensure that 15 players from each team are on pitch at all times if at all possible,” he wrote on X.
