Such was New Zealand’s dominance over Argentina, they chose to play the last five minutes of their Rugby World Cup semi-final with just 14 men.
It was an extraordinary scenario for a game of such magnitude, but with the All Blacks leading 44-6 it made perfect sense.
Kiwi lock Scott Barrett had been sinbinned for a professional foul at Stade de France and after 75 minutes he was eligible to return from the naughty corner.
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But Australian referee Angus Gardner couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“You’re going to play with 14? OK,” Gardner said.
With the result well and truly wrapped up, it allowed New Zealand the chance to practice operating short handed ahead of the final.
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Teams often simulate those scenarios at training, sometimes playing 15 vs 13 or even 12.
“It was an opportunity for us to make sure we look after our resources the best we could,” coach Ian Foster said.
“We didn’t see a need to put ‘Scooter’ 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.
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“It was just a precautionary-type decision.”
New Zealand should have scored their eighth try after that decision but Richie Mo’unga bizarrely chose not to pass to an unmarked Will Jordan, who already had a hat-trick.
Another Jordan five pointer would have broken the record for most tries at one World Cup.
Jordan has eight tries in France – equal with Jonah Lomu, Bryan Habana and Julian Savea for most tries in a single World Cup.
New Zealand will now play the winner of Sunday’s (AEDT) second semi between South Africa and England.
“I’ll be watching it, have some popcorn and watch it. But I don’t care who wins,” All Blacks coach Ian Foster told reporters.
“We are focused on ourselves and the extra day gives us chance to have a break mentally. South Africa have been playing some brilliant rugby but we’ve also seen an English team that has built quietly.
“It will be an interesting contrast of styles.”
Foster will be replaced by Scott Robertson as coach next season even if he wins the World Cup.
New Zealand Rugby made that unprecedented call in March when Foster’s stocks were shaky and Robertson was considered a flight risk.
An upset Foster hit out at the time but he is now laser focused on greatness.
“There’s not a personal agenda here, this is about the All Blacks and the team,” Foster said.
“Things have happened to individuals and to me, but the team comes first. Right now we’re making a lot of those decisions together as a group and it is working well…
“I am proud to be part of this group, the coaches are linking well with the players and there is a nice synergy about it. But you know, one more week.”
The Springboks are hot favourites against England in what is a repeat of the 2019 World Cup final.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
