New Zealand reached a record fifth Rugby World Cup final in extraordinary circumstances as they pummelled Argentina 44-6 in Friday's semi-final at the Stade de France.
Will Jordan's historic hat-trick and a double for Shannon Frizell contributed to the All Blacks' demolition job, while the Pumas - who were made to pay for a plethora of mistakes - continue their painful wait for a maiden World Cup showpiece appearance.
A bright start from Argentina was rewarded when Emiliano Boffelli kicked his first penalty through the posts with five minutes gone, but the South Americans subsequently went through phase after phase without success against the well-drilled All Blacks.
New Zealand were happy to wait for the opportune moment for a turnover before turning defence to attack in the blink of an eye, and Ian Foster's men needed just 11 minutes to post their first try, working the ball from left to right in a flash after a maul, and Jordan was left alone to dive over.
The Pumas were powerless to thwart New Zealand's slick, unstoppable passing sequences - one of which ended with Jordie Barrett being clattered into by Mateo Carreras on the right-hand side in the 17th minute, but the Hurricanes man spun over to score regardless.
Boffelli reduced the arrears with another three-pointer in the 35th minute, but Argentina did themselves no favours with a frequent concession of penalties, and their defence was carved open for the third time on the stroke of half time.
Sparked by a surging run through the centre by Mark Telea, Ardie Savea fed Frizell out on the left, and the flanker bided his time behind the try-line before touching down for his side's third of the evening.
There's no stopping this man tonight! 🔥
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) October 20, 2023
A hat trick for Will Jordan! 🏉 🏉 🏉#RWC2023 | #ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/2CeixDjhOQ
If the die was not already cast, an early second-half surge put New Zealand out of sight, as the All Blacks' scrum supremacy ended with Aaron Smith picking up the ball and weaving out of a couple of challenges to score in the 42nd minute.
Frizell's second of the evening arrived only seven minutes later, as New Zealand asked questions of the beleaguered Argentina backline in the 22 before forcing their way over, and Jordan joined his compatriot in the two-try club in the 62nd minute.
Telea was thwarted close to the try line, but Finlay Christie was on hand to pick up the pieces and find an unchecked Jordan, who could hardly have wished for a simpler seventh try of the 2023 World Cup.
The stroll to the finish line would be made slightly more uncomfortable for New Zealand in the 66th minute, when Scott Barrett was sin-binned for a cynical and inexcusable slap-down, but a scintillating line-out move seven minutes later ended with Jordan chipping the ball through to himself for a semi-final hat trick.
In doing so, Jordan matched Jonah Lomu, Bryan Habana and Julian Savea on a record eight tries in a single World Cup, and the 25-year-old was wide open for an unprecedented ninth late on, but Mo'unga made the wrong decision to go himself and ran into traffic.
Argentina desperately searched for a late consolation try, but their efforts went unrewarded, and New Zealand will compete for the fourth crown against the winners of Saturday's second semi-final between England and South Africa, while the Pumas will meet the losers of that tie in the Bronze final.
Ben Knapton
