Rugby World Cup: New Zealand avoids upset

A record crowd of more than 89,000 turned up at Wembley Stadium in London to see defending champion New Zealand face Argentina in the Rugby World Cup Sunday. Taobao agent

New Zealand 26: Argentina 16

The All-Blacks have never lost in test rugby against the Pumas, but the South Americans were looking to be latest upstart to cause an upset in the tournament's first week
In a tight first half, the reigning champion built up a 9-0 lead, thanks to the kicking of flyhalf Dan Carter. But the All-Blacks then lost captain Richie McCaw and center Conrad Smith to the sin-bin, so Argentina take advantage of the numerical mismatch; Guido Petti plunged over the line for the opening try of the contest. Nicholas Sanchez kicked the conversion successfully, making it a 9-7 game.

And the Pumas remained focused, with Sanchez able to put the upstarts ahead with a penalty and Argentina led the world champion 16-12 in the second half. But the title holder responded late in the second half, pounding the ball forward after the line-out; scrumhalf Aaron Smith gave a nice dummy and darted over for their first try to put New Zealand ahead 19-16 in the 56th minute.
About 10 minutes later, the Kiwis show off their quick hands as they got the ball out to the wing, where they had an overlap, Sam Cane then ran it under the post for the try as the All-Blacks avoid an upset by downing Argentina 26-16.

In other games, Wales thrashed Uruguay 54-9 in Pool A,China Ebay and Samoa beat the USA 25-16 in Pool B.