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'Nicolas Sanchez is still world class' - Pumas hero silences critics with 'phenomenal' performance against All Blacks
Argentina have stunned rugby fans around the world by defeating the All Blacks 25-15 in Sydney on Saturday, 402 days after their last test match.
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Los Pumas were ranked outsiders heading into the Tri Nations clash, with All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan especially adamant that the Pumas wouldn’t challenge due to a lack of game time and issues with COVID-19.
But after trading penalty kicks, it was the Pumas who made the most of a strong start, with Nicolas Sanchez crossing 19 minutes in. The flyhalf regathered his own chip kick in-behind the All Blacks defensive line, to score under the posts.
Sanchez continued to add to his tally as the match went on, finishing the night with six penalty kicks and a 25-point haul. It was the third-most points scored by an individual in a test against the All Blacks.
While the brick wall that was the Argentinian defence kept the All Blacks try-less throughout the first half, and contained them when it counted after the break, Sanchez was ultimately the difference at Bankwest Stadium.
Fans on Twitter have been full of praise for the Stade Francais pivot, with one describing his performance as a ‘masterclass’ after he outscored the All Blacks by 10-points on his own.
Nicolas Sanchez is still world class ?
— Charles Patoshik (@SixtaLumko) November 14, 2020
@lospumas ??
Incredible game and what a result! Huge team effort and a kicking masterclass from Nicolas Sanchez. Well done Argentina!!
The fact that they have not played test rugby for more than a year makes the feat even more impressive.#ARGvNZL #RugbyChampionship
ADVERTISEMENT— Gau Appanna (@GauAppanna) November 14, 2020
The man of the hour. Every single point for Los Pumas. Team effort of course. Well done Nicolas Sanchez. Well done Argentina. I’m in awe. #NZLvARG pic.twitter.com/HyZkX6xIkw
— Declan Keyes-Bevan (@deckeyesbevan) November 14, 2020
INCREDIBLE!!! What a win for Argentina. Nicolas Sánchez take a bow #allblacks #argentina #NewZealand #rugby #TriNations2020
— Eamon Walsh (@eamonsticks) November 14, 2020
Nicolas Sanchez is the man! He out here ballin for his country. #NZLvARG #TriNations #TriNations2020
— byron (@Bmacn88) November 14, 2020
Nicolás Sánchez has been nothing short of phenomenal! #NZLvARG
— Ryan Siverson (@rysiphoto) November 14, 2020
@unionargentina have been outstanding!
Matera and Kremer’s defence has been absolutely world class.Nicolás Sánchez is a national treasure. #NZLvsARG
— Andrew Reynolds (@Andy_RennRugby) November 14, 2020
Sanchez played an absolute dream performance. ?
— Mr Whitefolks (@screamingsutch) November 14, 2020
What a performance from Argentina! Absolute masterclass from the 10 Sanchez, that last kick to put it out of sight ? Great to see fans back in the stadium to witness history ?#NZLvARG #AllBlacks #RugbyChampionship
— Daniel McMahon (@DanielMc1991) November 14, 2020
Sanchez proving he’s one of the best 10s in the world. Enjoying this test.
#NZLvARG— Observer (@rugby_whisperer) November 14, 2020
Sanchez?? unbelievable #NZLvARG
— Tom Derrick (@tom_derrick1) November 14, 2020
Yesssss Argentina!!!! Sensational!!!!! #NZLvARG SANCHEZ people????????#TriNations2020
— #KingShakaZulu’s Daughter??? (@Thembileeh) November 14, 2020
Absolutely inspiring and spirited performance from @lospumas. Their play made me miss rugby even more.
Nico Sánchez is an animal with a boot to boast about. History. Goodness. #NZLvARG
— Carly MacKinnon (@MacKinnonCarly) November 14, 2020
While his try mid-way through the first-half certainly set the game alight, it was his kick with four minutes to play which sent fans into a frenzy.
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Up by 12, Sanchez perfectly struck a kick from 55 metres out, which all but ended any chance of an All Blacks comeback.
What a kick from Sanchez – less than 3 mins remaining and 15 points ahead! @lospumas are set for their first ever win over the @AllBlacks #TriNations #NZLvARG
— Gareth Jenkinson (@gazza_jenks) November 14, 2020
That is some ping by Sanchez ?? #NZLvARG
— Andrew Shore (@andrewshore90) November 14, 2020
That was an epic penalty from Sanchez! #NZLvARG
— Attila (@AttilaBalassa) November 14, 2020
The player of the match performance was reminiscent of his form in 2015, where he guided Argentina to the semi-finals at the Rugby World Cup in England. For some, his form deserved a nomination for World men’s player of the year.
But over the past couple of years, Sanchez’s form has come under scrutiny. Just last year, he had a disappointing Rugby Championship campaign and also failed to fire at the World Cup in Japan, eventually being dropped for the pool clash against England.
That being said, Nicolas Sanchez perhaps selected on reputation rather than form for Los Pumas? Hasn’t been at his best for a while now- did Ledesma err by not taking Diaz Bonilla and/or Miotti?
— SH Rugby (@shrugbyblog) September 21, 2019
Hearing loud and clear that Nicolás Sánchez will not play for Argentina ??vs??????? England.
Not at 10 and not on the bench.
Dropped by Ledesma altogether for not performing against ??France or ??Tonga in addition to Rugby Championship form.
— Paul Tait (@AmericasOval) October 3, 2019
It’s important to remember that this was a very poor Argentina side though.
Stade Francais are still looking for that Nicolas Sanchez receipt. pic.twitter.com/70oRVifmvH
— Cardiff Rugby Life (@CardiffRugbyWeb) June 18, 2018
It would seem that Sanchez has well and truly silenced his critics with his performance in Western Sydney.
Argentina have now put themselves in a good position to contest for the Tri Nations title, but they still have three big games to play starting with the Wallabies in Newcastle.
But the Pumas will be full of confidence ahead of the clash, after beating a Rugby Australia XV twice on consecutive weekends. The XV was made up of players not included in the matchday Wallabies squad, with the most recent match including Fraser McReight and Isi Naisarani.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments