Bankwest Boil Over: Pumas stun All Blacks to clinch first-ever test win over New Zealand
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Argentina sent shock waves around the world by giving the All Blacks a punch in the guts loss 25-15. Here's how the Kiwis rated. #NZLvARG #TriNations https://t.co/6XZ4eFFl6F
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2020
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.
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.”
Not an easy day for any All Black fan, but they day belonged to Los Pumas. How did they rate? #NZLvARG #TriNations https://t.co/dbgeUzaVdk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2020
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.
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf 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.
26 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments