NZL
No.Name
15Ben Smith, FB
14Nehe Milner-Skudder, W
13Conrad Smith, C
12Ma'a Nonu, C
11Julian Savea, W
10Dan Carter, FH
2
4
9Aaron Smith, SH
T
1Tony Woodcock, P
2Dane Coles, H
3Owen Franks, P
4Brodie Retallick, L
5Sam Whitelock, L
6Jerome Kaino, FL
7Richie McCaw, FL
8Kieran Read, N8
Replacements
16Keven Mealamu, R
17Wyatt Crockett, R
18Charlie Faumuina, R
19Victor Vito, R
20Sam Cane, R
T
21TJ Perenara, R
22Beauden Barrett, R
23Sonny Bill Williams, R

*Players currently on the pitch are shown in bold

Game Info

Venue: Wembley Stadium
11:45 AM, September 20, 2015
Attendance: 89,019
All CommentaryKey Events

Match Commentary

84'
83'ESPN's Sam Bruce at Wembley- The All Blacks' defence of the Webb Ellis Trophy is up and running but only after they survived an almighty challenge from a gallant Argentina. The world champions were rattled for much of the match and it wasn't until Sonny Bill Williams entered that they looked anything like their usual selves. The first-half sin-binnings of skipper Richie McCaw - for a blatant trip - and then Conrad Smith highlighted the nervous start of Steve Hansen's side while the Pumas looked assured in attack and hit hard in defence to go in at 13-12 up at the break. But the South Americans couldn't sustain the intensity and the class of Aaron Smith soon showed. The All Blacks half-back crossed for a sniping try before replacement Sam Cane made up for an earlier bombed try with a five-pointer to seal the gripping contest.
82'Richie McCaw had this to say after the game- "It's what you expect first up. Its always going to be tough. I thought the second half was a lot more clinical."

On Wembley - "It's an amazing place to play here at Wembley. One of the great places to play. It's been a while since our last game and we're happy to get out of there and get started. That's the nature of rugby."
81'
81'26-16 End of second half
80'Julian Savea, anonymous for much of the day, flattens Gonzalez Amorosino as Argentina look to break one more time. Full time! An opening win for the slightly rusty looking All Blacks but a win none the less. It gets considerably easier in their group from this point onwards. On the plus side for Steve Hansen's men they have denied any points to the main rival in Pool D. They will, however, want to improve rapidly throughout the rest of their group games.
78'Penalty Argentina who kick long as they look to secure a losing bonus point.
77'Another unforced error from New Zealand, who have been in equal parts sloppy and dangerous today. Scrum Argentina as we enter the final two minutes.
75'Still the Pumas hang on. Ben Smith looks to be heading for the corner but Gonzalez Amorosino hauls him down. Lineout to Argentina who clear.
74'Charlie Faumuina receives some treatement as we near the final five minutes. Argentina haven't given up hope and are attacking from deep still. Knock on however and they may pay the price for their bravery.
73'
72'Jeronimo de la Fuente steals brilliant at the ruck as New Zealand look set to score. The Pumas really have been outstanding this afternoon and are unlucky to be facing a defeat.
71'
71'Player substituted - Brodie Retallick , New Zealand
71'Substitute on - Victor Vito , New Zealand
70'Brilliant from Santiago Cordero as Dan Carter's chip in behind seems destined to fall in to Conrad Smith's arms. Cordero takes the catch however and Argentina escape from another threatening All Blacks move.
70'Player substituted - Agustin Creevy , Argentina
70'Substitute on - Lucas Noguera , Argentina
70'Substitute on - Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino , Argentina
70'Player substituted - Joaquin Tuculet , Argentina
69'Player substituted - Nicolas Sanchez , Argentina
69'Substitute on - Jeronimo de la Fuente , Argentina
69'Substitute on - TJ Perenara , New Zealand
69'Player substituted - Aaron Smith , New Zealand
68'Disallowed try- New Zealand and Beauden Barrett believe they have added to their lead but a small knock on denies the Kiwi. The All Blacks could rack up some points very quickly here though.
68'Player substituted - Dane Coles , New Zealand
68'Substitute on - Keven Mealamu , New Zealand
67'
67'26-16 Conversion - Dan Carter , New Zealand
67'24-16 Try - Sam Cane , New Zealand
66'Try New Zealand! No they aren't made to pay as Sam Cane redeems himself for his error. Excellent hands as the All Blacks ship it down the line and Cane has the easiest of finishes. Carter adds the extras, New Zealand now lead by 10 and Argentina, despite their superhuman effort, are rapidly tiring.
65'New Zealand botch it yet again! Aaron Smith, by far the All Black's most electric player receives the ball from Sonny Bill Williams and beats his man. His ball inside to Sam Cane is dropped with the line at Cane's mercy. Will New Zealand be made to pay for these mistakes?
65'Substitute on - Sam Cane , New Zealand
65'Player substituted - Jerome Kaino , New Zealand
65'Substitute on - Julian Montoya , Argentina
65'Player substituted - Leonardo Senatore , Argentina
64'Penalty New Zealand after excellent work from Jerome Kaino at the breakdown. His last bit of work for the day as Sam Cane takes his place.
62'Kieran Read bulldozes down the left wing and unleashes a crunching hit on rival number eight Leonardo Senatore. New Zealand spread it wide and Dan Carter overshoots Richie McCaw. Yet another chance goes begging for New Zealand. Profligate.
62'Substitute on - Martin Landajo , Argentina
62'Player substituted - Tomas Cubelli , Argentina
60'So nearly for Argentina, and here they come again. A kick through narrowly rolls over the in goal area and Beauden Barrett touches it down. From the resulting drop out Argentina turn it over and Aaron Smith kicks through. Conrad Smith mistimes his jump and brings his opponent down in mid-air. The crowd bay for action but nothing more than a penalty.
58'
58'Substitute on - Juan Manuel Leguizamon , Argentina
58'Player substituted - Pablo Matera , Argentina
58'19-16 Conversion - Dan Carter , New Zealand
57'Carter adds the extras and New Zealand lead by 3 points going in to the final quarter.
57'17-16 Try - Aaron Smith , New Zealand
56'Try New Zealand! Another opportunity for Dan Carter but no, turns it down! New Zealand go for the jugular and kick for the corner. Attacking lineout. Great defense by Argentina but the All Blacks peel off. Aaron Smith snipes from the ruck and cruises over the line. New Zealand lead.
54'Juan Martin Hernandez is rolling back the years hear, producing a thumping tackle in midfield as the All Blacks was gaining momentum. Intercepted by Argentina but Wayne Barnes brings them back for an earlier infringement.
54'Player substituted - Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro , Argentina
54'Substitute on - Ramiro Herrera , Argentina
52'New Zealand are really struggled to hit top gear but as I type that Ben Smith looks to make ground down the wing. Argentina clear however, Jerome Kaino bringing the ball back with aplomb. Penalty to New Zealand and Carter kicks for the corner.
50'Nehe Milner-Skudder is taken off to be replaced by Beauden Barrett. A little over the top to suggest that it is a result of the clanging drop a few minutes ago? Steve Hansen is certainly not afraid to shake things up.
50'Substitute on - Beauden Barrett , New Zealand
50'Player substituted - Nehe Milner-Skudder , New Zealand
50'Substitute on - Charlie Faumuina , New Zealand
50'Player substituted - Owen Franks , New Zealand
47'And now New Zealand are penalised at the scrum. It goes from bad to worse for the All Blacks who at least get the benefit of Conrad Smith returning to the field after his 10 minutes in the sin bin.
46'Horrible miss! Sonny Bill Williams makes an instant impact, shrugging off Argentine defenders with contempt before popping it out the back of his hand to Nehe Milner-Skudder, who inexplicably shells the ball a metre from the line. Unbelievable. Think Ben Kay in the World Cup Final in 2003 but without the excuse of being a lumbering forward. Incredible let off for Argentina.
46'Player substituted - Ma'a Nonu , New Zealand
46'Substitute on - Sonny Bill Williams , New Zealand
46'Player substituted - Tony Woodcock , New Zealand
46'Substitute on - Wyatt Crockett , New Zealand
45'Ma'a Nonu and Tony Woodcock leave the field to be replaced by Sonny Bill Williams and Wyatt Crockett respectively. An interesting early move from Steve Hansen in this second half.
44'
43'Outstanding defence from Nehe Milner-Skudder as Argentina seek to extend their lead. Santiago Cordero has the beating of Ma'a Nonu for pace from a kick through but the young winger shows brilliant hands to rescue the situation and Nonu can clear.
43'12-16 Penalty goal - Nicolas Sanchez , Argentina
42'Argentina instantly on the attack and deep within the New Zealand 22. Hernandez tries a cheeky dink over the top but the Pumas already had penalty advantage and Sanchez will knock over three very simple points. An excellent start from Argentina to this second half.
41'ESPN's Sam Bruce at Wembley- A carnival atmosphere abounded Wembley before kick-off with the colour and song of the Pumas fans reverberating around the 90,000 seat stadium. They were quietened, only briefly, as Dan Carter kicked two early penalties, the second of which came after Pumas back-rower Pablo Matera was yellow-carded. Carter added another before the pro-Pumas crowd erupted when Guido Petti Pagadizaval grabbed the only try of the half. Then came the drama. First All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw was sent to the bin for a trip, and he was joined by Conrad Smith a few minutes later for a cynical breakdown infringement. An all-action first half finished 13-12 in favour of the Pumas.
41'12-13 Penalty goal - Dan Carter , New Zealand
41'+112-13 End of first half
40'The second half gets underway with Juan Martin Hernandez booting long. Richie McCaw has returned to the field but Conrad Smith remains in the bin.

40'Penalty New Zealand. Pablo Matera makes the tackle on Nehe Milner-Skudder but fails to roll away and Dan Carter reduces the arrears to a single point. Half time and it's 13-12 Argentina. What an absorbing half. South Africa v Japan may not be topped for excitement but the standard of rugby has been immense at a sellout Wembley.
40'12-13 Start of second half
38'Coach Steve Hansen looks concerned with his two most important leaders off the field. A sliced kick from Argentina gives New Zealand a decent attacking platform however. Can they capitalise?
38'9-13 Penalty goal - Nicolas Sanchez , Argentina
37'Yellow card Conrad Smith. A wonderful angle from winger Juan Imhoff leads the Pumas in to the All Blacks 22 and Conrad Smith cynically kills the move. Wayne Barnes left with no choice and New Zealand are currently down to 13 men. Sanchez kicks the goal and Argentina lead 13-9.
37'Yellow card - Conrad Smith , New Zealand
36'Argentina, as most rugby fans are well aware, are certainly no shrinking violets. Their inclusion in the Rugby Championship has held them in great stead and they are by no means overawed by the situation.
35'
34'Knock on New Zealand with the line begging once more. Ma'a Nonu and then Conrad Smith make incisive breaks but dogged Puma defence sees Kieran Read spill the ball and Argentina breathe a sigh of relief. New Zealand, as expected, not letting the man deficit affect them at all.
32'Sanchez drops the ball in an unfortunate position after Juan Martin Hernandez has displayed his genius with a clever flick pass. If Sanchez has caught the ball the Pumas would have been away down the left flank.
31'
30'Argentina lead! While McCaw broods on the bench Sanchez knocks the ball through the uprights and the All Blacks now are forced to defend with a man down until the end of the half.
30'9-10 Penalty goal - Nicolas Sanchez , Argentina
30'Yellow card - Richie McCaw , New Zealand
29'Yellow card Richie McCaw! The TMO is called upon to adjudicate on the Argentine knock on but McCaw had tripped Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, causing the error. Cheeky from McCaw and rightly binned.
28'And finally we have a break. Breathless stuff at Wembley as Argentina take a quick tap penalty but knock on. The price of ambition perhaps? Scrum New Zealand just inside the Pumas' half.
27'Chance goes begging for New Zealand. Twice it looked like the All Black would be in but Nehe Milner-Skudder's ball inside to Sam Whitelock is knocked away by Argentine scrum half Tomas Cubelli at the last minute with the try line beckoning.
25'Penalty to New Zealand once more. Carter spurns the shot at goal to set the All Blacks up in an attacking position.
23'Penalty Argentina from the resultant scrum after the kick off. Sanchez gains good ground and the Pumas will attack once more. Things are becoming interesting at Twickenham. This all with Argentina a man down remember.
23'Substitute on - Mariano Galarza , Argentina
23'Player substituted - Guido Petti , Argentina
23'9-7 Conversion - Nicolas Sanchez , Argentina
22'Petti Pagadizaval, the try scorer, is substituted in the aftermath, presumably to undergo concussion protocol after taking a knock while crossing the line.
21'
21'9-5 Try - Guido Petti , Argentina
20'Try Argentina! Excellent from the Pumas as Guido Petti Pagadizaval crashes over from short range after some superb build up play. Richie McCaw had disrupted on the try line and would have likely received a yellow card had the try not been scored. Sanchez adds the conversion and suddenly Argentina are within two points.
19'Carter takes the whole minute to line his kick up but puts it through none the less. New Zealand already out to more than a converted try lead. 9-0.
19'9-0 Penalty goal - Dan Carter , New Zealand
17'From the resultant scrum the Argentina are penalised and the All Blacks have an attacking platform once more. Penalty! It'll be another simple chance for Carter after a blatant offside from Argentina lock Tomas Lavanini as Kieran Read looked to break free.
16'
15'Nicolas Sanchez pushes the ball up to the All Black 22. A midfield set piece breaks down but New Zealand are pinged for holding on. No problem, they had a knock on advantage anyway.
13'New Zealand clear but Argentina are deciding to give as good as they get and have penalty advantage here.
12'Dancing feet in the midfield from Marcelo Bosch as Argentina press forward. The first real spell in possession for the Pumas.
11'6-0 Penalty goal - Dan Carter , New Zealand
10'Dan Carter doesn't miss those types of chances. 6-0 New Zealand and Argentina down to 14 men at the moment.
10'Yellow card - Pablo Matera , Argentina
9'Yellow card Pablo Matera and Argentina. After a wonderful spell of play in which New Zealand's backs showcase some unbelievable ball skills Aaron Smith takes a quick tap penalty and is impeded. 10 minutes in the bin for the Argentine flanker. Carter steps up again.
7'
6'First chance heading New Zealand's way. A flowing move off an overthrown lineout ball and a spectacular Ma'a Nonu flat ball sends Conrad Smith free. Smith's kick forward is carried over Argentina's own in goal area and Aaron Smith will put the ball in to the scrum 5 metres out.
5'
5'3-0 Penalty goal - Dan Carter , New Zealand
4'Slots the kick. Easy for the leading points scorer in the history of rugby union and New Zealand are up and running.
3'Penalty New Zealand and Dan Carter will have an easy shot at goal (for a player of his ability) to open the account in the 2015 Rugby World Cup for his team.
2'Penalty New Zealand as Argentina hold on to the ball in the ruck and Carter clears well to give the All Blacks their first attacking platform.
1'Referee Wayne Barnes of England gets the game underway and Dan Carter kicks off in his final World Cup. Argentina claim and press forward. New Zealand are forced in to their own 22 but clear only for the mercurial Juan Martin Hernandez, who lit the 2007 World Cup alight in such incredible style, to pin the All Blacks deep. Lineout time.
1'Hello and welcome to ESPN's coverage of the second and final game of the opening round in Pool C. This evening we will be treated to the introduction of World Champions and presumptive favourites New Zealand as they begin the defence of their title against Argentina at Wembley Stadium.



Sam Bruce (@SamBruce86) is ESPN's man at the home of English football and as the anthems reign down the anticipation begins to build. Up next, the awe inspiring Haka!
1'0-0 Start of first half

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