They are one point ahead of South Africa, which for its part dominated Argentina (38-21) on Saturday in Durban, without managing to win with the offensive bonus and without the 39 points difference. necessary to clinch his first Championship since 2019.

Despite a large domination, and a gap in the score amounting to more than 17 points, the South Africans never seemed able to fulfill these two sine qua non conditions to double the Blacks in the standings.

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Returning to the score, the Argentines even jostled the Boks, who finally secured victory on a penalty try (73rd), before increasing the gap to the score after the siren thanks to Kurt-Lee Arendse (80 + 1st) , without managing to take the bonus.

A title won in pain

It is not certain that this title won in pain will manage to silence all the criticism aimed at the All Blacks and their coach Ian Foster, whose results have been up and down since the start of his mandate.

Already shaken by defeats last November against Ireland (29-20) then against France (40-25), the All Blacks started the Rugby Championship in full doubt after their historic defeat, on their land, during the summer series against the XV of Clover.

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Defeated on entering South Africa (26-10) on the first day of the Rugby Championship, they reassured themselves on the second day by taking their revenge (35-23), but again found themselves under fire criticism after the first defeat in their history, at home against Argentina (18-25).

All Blacks in doubt

Despite these results and an unattractive game, Ian Foster was kept in his post until the 2023 World Cup by the New Zealand federation.

The big victory against Australia (40-14), Saturday morning in Auckland, allowed the Blacks to take an advantage which proved decisive for the title, but they once again showed inaccuracies, struggling to find the game that made their reputation despite the difference in score.

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The only exception: the 21st try in as many selections by winger Will Jordan (23rd), who dropped the Australian center Jordan Petaia, well served by Jordie Barrett, replaced in the center rather than in his usual post of back.

It was ultimately the New Zealand forwards who sealed the game and the title, scoring four more tries to give the Blacks the attacking bonus.

One year from the 2023 World Cup in France, Ian Foster is gaining some respite with this success, but still lacks certainty both about the composition of his group and the game of his team, which will face during a tour in November Wales, Scotland and England.

© 2022 AFP