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Los Pumas claim historic victory over All Blacks in Christchurch
Argentina have stunned the All Blacks by beating the three-times world champions for the first time on New Zealand soil with a 25-18 victory in a Rugby Championship Test in Christchurch.
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The Pumas achieved their first ever win over New Zealand just two years ago in another championship match in Sydney and Saturday’s victory was from the same mold with magnificent defence backed up by iron discipline.
“I’m very proud of our team, we are starting to believe what we can do, not just a magic moment like our first win (in Sydney),” said captain Julian Montoya.
“Very, very happy, very, very proud, it’s a very special moment for us.”
The boot of winger Emiliano Boffelli, who kicked five penalties, kept them in the contest when New Zealand scored two tries in the first half and kept them ahead after flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez had scored an opportunist second-half try.
New Zealand, who played the last nine minutes with 14 men after Shannon Frizell was s hown a yellow card, will almost certainly be plunged back into the crisis that was apparently ended by their victory over South Africa two weeks ago.
Tries from Samisoni Taukei’aho and Caleb Clarke should have given them a comfortable lead at halftime but ill-discipline throughout the match cost them dearly.
“It certainly felt in the first half that we were more dominant in areas than we managed to show on the scoreboard,” All Blacks captain Sam Cane said.
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“A lot of credit has to go to Argentina for the way they stuck in it and eventually turned the tables.”
The victory gives Argentina successive wins in the Rugby Championship for the first time after their impressive 48-17 thrashing of Australia in San Juan two weeks ago.
They also remain top of the championship standings on points difference ahead of Australia, who earlier beat South Africa 25-17 in Adelaide.
Can't wait to see Ben Smith article. Something about boring Arg game plan and tactics and how NZ style so beautiful to watch.
This is ridiculous man! Foster has to go, we keep making the same mistakes!
Taukei'aho has been our best player this RC and he is off 45 mins in...
Jordie Barrett is somehow just a lock at fullback because he catches high balls but he isnt as dynamic as other options from fullback to break the line, something we are really lacking. Beauden, Jordan and McKenzie are 3 of the most elusive in the world and Jordie doesnt even always play FB for his club! Give him a go at 12 since he loves to run so straight...
Our Havili, Ioane midfield has operated well in 1 game! They have had a million chances. We desperately need ALB and Goodhue healthy, and also Tupaea was really good in the first test vs Ireland, but I guess the 2nd test is the only strike hes gonna get even though Havili has had tonnes. We have a plethora of world class wingers for Rieko to barely ever pass to...
We are down by 4 with 20 minutes left and 7 with 15 to go, a postition we have been in many times (albeit not to Arg) and we have always trusted our utility backs like young Beauden or Damian McKenzie to come on and break a game open. They almost always delivered, yet Perofeta has to sit there on the bench and not get a chance until the 80th minute, just so his first cap is arguably our worst loss ever through no fault of his own...
And lastly Sam Cane concedes a million penalties while we have a couple of the form players from Super Rugby like Papalii who have proved themselves for the ABs who I guess are just never gonna get a go... Pick players by how well they are playing!
PS. Can Scott Robinson please apply for the soon to be vacant Springbok Coach position
First let's congratulate Argentina on a Magnificent victory, what character real blood and guts stuff,defense to the death and took a leaf out of the kiwi book and punished hard on any turnover ball.
Well Done ! New Zealand 🇳🇿 is still the hardest away game in world rugby
New Zealand did not play badly, their scrum was completely dominant, they mauled very well, the new assistant coaches are making their mark and the ABs are improving rapidly. This score puts Argentinas Australian game in perspective, no luck, sheer grit and hard work
Rugby world wide is leveling up and nations with smaller budgets are showing some incredible performance.
Congratulations Pumas you've nail an incredible victory.
The backing Foster after 1 lucky win is paying dividends. SA a man up with 10 to play should have gone onto win.
For decades, AB have surfed on the fright and respect their jersey sparks. That is vanishing