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Bankwest Boil Over: Pumas stun All Blacks to clinch first-ever test win over New Zealand

By AAP
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Argentine coach Mario Ledesma wept tears of joy after plotting the Pumas’ first win over the All Blacks, an epic result that’s blown the Tri Nations title race wide open.

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Led ferociously by flanker and inspired captain Pablo Matera, the Pumas dominated in almost every facet to notch an historic 25-15 victory in Sydney on Saturday.

Ex-Wallabies mentor turned Pumas assistant Michael Cheika was also a conspicuous figure alongside Ledesma in Argentina’s coaches’ box as the delirious South Americans rejoiced following their torrid triumph.

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“Everything is hard in Argentina and at the moment it is one of the toughest times in our country so we want to show people that if you fight and you work hard, you get what you fight for,” Matera said.

Nicolas Sanchez scored all 25 of the Pumas’ points from a try, a conversion and six penalties in a record-setting display from the potent playmaker.

It was the most points collected in a test in the two teams’ 30- match rivalry stretching to 1985.

While the All Blacks entered the game battled-hardened after four Bledisloe Cup stoushes with the Wallabies in barely a month, the Pumas were playing their first test in more than a year.

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But there were no signs of rust, just one solitary handling error as they outclassed the three-time world champions all over the park.

Matera was mighty and Sanchez punished the All Blacks for their ill-discipline.

He opened the scoring with a fourth-minute penalty before his New Zealand counterpart Richie Mo’unga replied to level the scores.

But by the time Sanchez had bagged a brilliant chip-and-chase try and banged over two more penalties, the Pumas went to the break with a 16-3 advantage.

Despite captain Sam Cane briefly reducing the deficit to nine points with the All Blacks’ first try in the 53rd minute, the Pumas were never going to be denied, converting their biggest halftime lead over New Zealand into a rousing win.

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Caleb Clarke crossed for a consolation five-pointer after the siren, but it was too little too late.

“That was very tough,” said vanquished skipper Cane.

“Full credit to Argentina. They came out from the first whistle right to the end 80th (minute) with probably a little bit more intent and urgency than us.

“They beat us at the breakdown, off the line and they thoroughly deserved the win.

“They kept coming and they put their bodies in front really well and we struggled in continuity and to put them under pressure.”

After succumbing to the Wallabies last week, the All Blacks have now suffered back-to-back test defeats for the first time since 2011.

“We’re hurting greatly,” said All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

“That was a frustrating response to a similar game last week.

“It’s the second week in a row where we haven’t had good composure when things haven’t quite gone our way .. Again we got rattled.”

Almost 10,000 fans flocked to Bankwest Stadium to witness the famous victory, which sets the stage for a thrilling climax to the six-week competition.

The winner of next Saturday night’s Wallabies versus Pumas clash in Newcastle will leapfrog the All Blacks and go top of the table, ensuring the new-look rugby championship goes down to the wire.

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Bull Shark 34 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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