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'That Argentinian seven jersey was just everywhere' - the players who led the Pumas to victory over the All Blacks

By Online Editors
Marcos Kremer of Argentina pushes Shannon Frizell of the All Blacks during the 2020 Tri-Nations rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Argentina Los Pumas at Bankwest Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Los Pumas made history on Saturday, defeating the All Blacks for the first time ever with a convincing display at Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium.

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While it was definitely a team effort which spurred the underdogs to victory, two players stood out above the rest.

With four-time Super Rugby winner Bryn Hall away this week, Sky Sports commentator Jeff McTanish sat in for him. For McTanish, there was a clear choice with who the Healthspan Elite  Performer of the Week is, with flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez having scored all of Argentina’s 25-points.

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James Parsons was particularly impressed with 23-year-old Marco Kremer, who tackled his side to victory.

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James Parsons was particularly impressed with 23-year-old Marco Kremer, who tackled his side to victory.

Sanchez was compared to Pumas legend Hugo Porter after the match, a player who scored all of Argentina’s 21-points in the 1985 draw with the All Blacks in Buenos Aires.

But the 32-olds performance on Saturday etched his name into the history books, with his one try, one conversion, and six penalties seeing him score the third-most points of any individual in one match against the All Blacks.

“Like Mario Ledesma the coach, he’s been trying for such a long time,” McTanish said on the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “He’s been part of teams that have given the All Blacks a run for 50, 60, 70 minutes at times, but finally to see a guy like that and come through, and steer his team around the park.

“I think what we’ve seen potentially with this All Blacks team is that they’ve lacked a bit of experience at times in those positions and Nicolas Sanchez, what is he 33 or 34 years old (32), he’s been around a long time so he knew that that was their opportunity.

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“For him to score all of their points, for me that was the standout effort of the weekend for sure.”

Challenging McTanish’s comments, former All Black James Parsons sung the praises of Openside Flanker Marco Kremer, after he put up incredible numbers.

“23 years old, it was his 29th test, some of these stats are mind-blowing.

“14 carries, one defender beaten, 28 tackles, three missed so he’s tackling at 90%. Out of those 28, 14% of them were dominant.

“That’s 28 tackles and that’s an 80-minute effort. Let’s not forget, 14% is a really high dominant tackle number so he’s doing the business, he’s a big body.

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“The balance of possession is another thing, it was pretty much 50-50, both sides go the opportunity to make a similar amount of tackles. Obviously if it’s like 70-30 then 28 [tackles] is not as impressive but at 50-50, it’s really impressive.

“On the night, I said after the call that he was my player of the day before I even read the stats because I felt like that Argentinian seven jersey was just everywhere.”

The panel soon shifted their focus to the All Blacks backrow, and what was missing against the Pumas.

“There’s been a lot talked about the All Blacks loose forward trio and whether we’re missing a big body and I just feel like whether he does come back into the mix or not, we do need a big weapon like Liam Squire,” McTanish suggested.

In response, Parsons brought up the success of Shannon Frizell in the Bledisloe Cup matches in particular, but also the work of Akira Ioane with his limited minutes in Bledisloe IV.

“Akira Ioane was very effective in his 28 minutes so we could see potentially him getting another opportunity to be that, because he’s an explosive customer.

“He’s got the genetic to be as explosive as a Liam Squire, and he just needs to be given a go.”

The All Blacks have a bye this week in the Tri Nations, but will have the chance to seek revenge against the Pumas when they face again on Saturday week in Newcastle.

Argentina on the other hand are set for what is now a highly anticipated fixture, with the win for either side set to go along way to cementing their title aspirations. Parsons admitted that there will be more interest in the match this weekend after the upset win last weekend, and that this was crucial for the competition.

“It’s important to players as well, having a genuine idea and belief that you’re coming into the weekend and you’ve got a genuine opportunity to take it.

Now, that Argies side, they’ll be frothing at the moth but making sure that they’re as disciplined in their game plan and what they executed against the All Blacks. I’d say it’s even more important because the Wallabies won’t be surprised, they know what’s coming.”

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j
john 43 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

14 Go to comments
A
Adrian 2 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

14 Go to comments
T
Trevor 5 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 9 hours 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.

29 Go to comments
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