Grondona suffers as All Blacks run riot

By Mark Stevens
3/9/22

New Zealand scored seven unanswered tries to emphatically beat Argentina 53-3 in their Rugby Championship Test in Hamilton on Saturday.

The All Blacks' win was revenge for last week's shock defeat by the Pumas - who included Exeter Chiefs forward Santiago Grondona in their starting line-up - and means they avoided a fourth consecutive loss on home soil.

It was New Zealand's most dominant performance of the season, producing a dominant performance that brought a bonus-point win at Waikato Stadium.

Ethan de Groot, Caleb Clarke and Rieko Ioane crossed early as the home side stormed to a 24-3 half-time lead before Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea, Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett added tries after the break. Fly-half Richie Mo'unga added 14 points with his boot.

South Africa secured their first triumph in Australia for nine years as the world champions won 24-8 in Sydney.

Teenage winger Canan Moodie scored one of four tries as the Springboks avenged last weekend's 25-17 loss in Adelaide.

The results mean the Rugby Championship is delicately poised with just two rounds to go. New Zealand lead with 10 points, one ahead of Australia, South Africa and Argentina. All four sides have won two and lost two so far in their campaigns.