New Zealand v Argentina LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Pumas stun the All Blacks
New Zealand 30-38 Argentina: The Pumas pulled off their third win over the All Blacks with a remarkable performance in Wellington
Argentina pulled off a stunning 38-30 victory over New Zealand in Wellington as the Pumas beat the All Blacks for a third time in four years,
The visitors threw the Rugby Championship wide open with another historic win at Sky Stadium, backing up victory in Christchurch two years ago with a remarkable performance. The Pumas matched their hosts stride-for-stride for 60 minutes and then surged away in the final quarter, with old-stager Agustin Creevy — superb off the bench months after his 39th birthday — burrowing over for a crucial try late on.
It dealt the All Blacks their first defeat under head coach Scott Robertson, whose side shipped more points than New Zealand had ever done before on home soil. Some trademark vibrant attacking rugby was interspersed among too many basic errors, while a side shorn of several senior leaders after last year’s World Cup appeared to lack calm and composure come the crunch.
But that does not at all detract from a brilliant showing from the visitors, who had been played off the park in the last meeting between the teams in Paris in the World Cup semi-final. It is a first signature win for new boss Felipe Contepomi, who succeeded Michael Cheika after the tournament. Earlier, South Africa routed Australia to establish themselves as firm favourites for a tournament they have won just once in the last decade.
Follow all the latest from Wellington below:
New Zealand 23-22 Argentina, 47 minutes
A brace of changes for Argentina. It’s a first cap for young gun Efrain Elias, so impressive as captain at the U20 World Cup last month, in the second row, while Joel Sclavi replaces Eduardo Bello. “Sorry you didn’t get a scrum,” referee Angus Gardner quips to Bello as the tighthead is replaced - still we wait for that first skirmish as the first front-rower leaves the field.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 23-22 Argentina (Damian McKenzie, 47 minutes)
Effortless power in the strike from Damian McKenzie. The All Blacks lead once more.
New Zealand 20-22 Argentina, 46 minutes
A coach-killer of a penalty, Argentina almost instantly infringing after the restart. Damian McKenzie calls for the tee and will try to nudge the hosts back in front.
TRY! New Zealand 20-22 ARGENTINA (Franco Molina, 43 minutes)
Beautifully worked at the front and Franco Molina reaches to the line!
Superb! A dummy jumper at the back of the lineout distracts the All Blacks forwards, leaving them short of steel at the front. A grounded Franco Molina takes at the front and lets the wave carry him, the mass of his mates thumping into his midriff and driving the lock over for his first Test try. Santiago Carreras converts in fine fashion - Argentina lead at Sky Stadium!
New Zealand 20-15 Argentina, 42 minutes
New Zealand cycle through a load of phases inside their own half, ever a dangerous game. Sam Darry wins his collision but that leaves him exposed to the attentions of Pablo Matera, who finds the ball and forces darry to hold on.
Santiago Carreras’ touchfinder is spot on, the wind having died down completely. Argentina hooker Ignacio Ruiz will throw from five metres out.
Second half...
The players are back out there. All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan urges his side to “respect the ball” a little more in the second half, believing they have just been guilty of a few too many silly errors. Off we go again in Wellington.
HT: New Zealand 20-15 Argentina
Not a single scrum in that first 40 minutes - remarkable handling despite a high tempo.
Can the All Blacks power clear? South Africa have already made a significant statement of intent on the opening day of Rugby Championship action...
South Africa romp past Australia in Rugby Championship opener
HT: New Zealand 20-15 Argentina
Lively stuff in Wellington, New Zealand producing a couple of their trademark dances but finding Argentina enjoying the beat and going nearly step-for-step with the All Blacks. The hosts will surely produce their trademark second-half surge, but the Pumas are very much in the hunt.
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