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‘We beat them twice and we know how to do it’: Pumas ready for ABs
After beating the All Blacks twice in three years, Argentina are full of confidence ahead of their highly anticipated Rugby Championship opener in Mendoza this weekend.
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Los Pumas believe they “know how” to beat the All Blacks.
Argentina shocked the rugby world on neutral ground in 2020 when they defeated the New Zealanders for the first-time ever in Sydney.
While that famous result will echo throughout time as a landmark moment for both Argentine and South American rugby, the Pumas outdid themselves a couple of years later.
The All Blacks were a shadow of their former selves during a slow start to their international campaign last year.
Defeats to Ireland and South Africa saw the All Blacks slump to an uncharacteristically poor run of form.
But there was hope – or so the New Zealand rugby public thought.
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Back in front of their home fans in Christchurch, the All Blacks were expected to beat Argentina, and get their season back on track by doing so.
But Los Pumas had another idea.
Argentina held on for an incredible 25-18 win in the south island – their first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand. History was made, but Los Pumas want more.
“We know what it means to play against New Zealand in Argentina and what team they are, but we are focused on us,” replacement Santiago Grondona told reporters on Friday.
“We had a great week in which we prepared very well and we hope that everything will come out on the pitch tomorrow.
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“We trust in our team and the most important thing is that we are united.
“We beat them twice and we know how to do it and it will depend on how we feel tomorrow. Let’s go for another victory.”
While there’s plenty of chatter about this year’s World Cup within the rugby community, both Argentina and New Zealand are taking their seasons one Test at a time.
This rivalry is always played with passion, fury and intent. Both teams are eager to start their 2023 campaigns on a winning note.
The Pumas have never beaten the All Blacks in Argentina, but are clearly ready to rewrite history once again as they prepare to host their southern hemisphere rivals on Saturday (local time).
“Without a doubt, it is the goal we have: to beat the All Blacks in Argentina for the first time in history,” he added.
“The motivation is there and we will see what happens tomorrow.”
Speaking with reporters at Marista Rugby Club in the south of Mendoza after the All Blacks’ captains run on Friday afternoon, Sam Cane said this Test will be a “battle of collisions.”
Cane expects the battle between the forward packs to play a major role on Saturday, and Grondona has predicted a similar challenge.
“I think that rugby matches are always won with the forwards, and the difference will be that we prevail there.
“It will be a tough battle tomorrow.”
Los Pumas will take on the All Blacks in Mendoza at 7.10 am on Sunday morning (New Zealand time).
Comments on RugbyPass
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
4 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
4 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
4 Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
5 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
5 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
238 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments