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 0-0 Argentina, 6 minutes
Nearly a try from nowhere for Matias Moroni! The ball spills free on the All Blacks side from a ruck but a hurried flick to the right is misdirected, allowing Moroni to put his boot on it. A kind bounce is collected by the wing, who steps past Damian McKenzie and stomps on the accelerator. The veteran, more often sighted at centre, doesn’t have the gears to ease away and Jordie Barrett gets back to strip him for parts, winning both ball and penalty to spare his side’s blushes somewhat. Argentina have come to play, though!
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 4 minutes
A solid first effort with the lineout drive from New Zealand, making ten metres or so. TJ Perenara then tests the skies, Santiago Carreras tracking the flight nicely even in the breeze and taking in a composed manner. He is quick introduced to the surface via a stiff shoulder from an All Black chaser.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 3 minutes
Argentina threaten from the lineout, too, but Ardie Savea matches Juan Martin Gonzalez in a battle of strength, forcing him into touch. The two number eightts are among the most freakish athletes in world rugby - their duel could be lots of fun today.
Sam Darry takes Codie Taylor’s throw, and Argentina are offside in midfield, allowing the All Blacks an easy clearance of their lines.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 2 minutes
What a start from Argentina! Santiago Carreras makes a half-break and connects with Matias Moroni, requiring a retreating Beauden Barrett to get back and prevent Mateo Carreras taking his wing colleague’s potential try-assisting offload.
Sharp scrambling from Barrett, but the Pumas look full of energy and invention.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 1 minute
Mark Tele’a and Ardie Savea get on the ball early, two of the chief tormentors of Argentina from that semi-final win this time well handled. TJ Perenara clears to just short of halfway but here come Argentina, carrying nicely in their first few phases.
KICK OFF!
The last time these two met was of course that semi-final drubbing in Paris last October. Will Argentina get any closer today? We are underway in Wellington!
New Zealand vs Argentina
Two lovely renditions of the anthems done and dusted, and into formation New Zealand slide for the haka. TJ Perenara is back to lead it, the scrum half having overcome that worrying-looking knee injury from the first Test against England.
New Zealand vs Argentina match officials
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Aus) & Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
New Zealand vs Argentina
The Cake Tin isn’t close to full to the rim, but there’s a decent crowd in Wellington, where it is cold and a little windy. Classic Wellington conditions, really.
South Africa have made an early statement of Rugby Championship intent - will the All Blacks do likewise?
Team news - Argentina
Pablo Matera takes the reins for Argentina with Julian Montoya recovering from a rib injury. Ignacio Ruiz is the beneficiary of his skipper’s absence at hooker while old-stager Agustin Creevy provides highly-experienced back-up; at the other end of the age spectrum on the bench, young lock Efrain Elias is set for a debut after an impressive U20 World Cup campaign in South Africa. Matias Moroni shifts to the wing as Lucio Cinti comes in to the midfield.
Argentina XV: 1 Thomas Gallo, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 3 Eduardo Bello; 4 Franco Molina, 5 Pedro Rubiolo; 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Juan Martin Gonzalez; 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Santiago Carreras; 11 Mateo Carreras, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Matias Moroni; 15 Juan Cruz Mallia.
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Efrain Elias, 20 Tomas Lavanini, 21 Joaquin Oviedo; 22 Lautaro Bazan Velez, 23 Tomas Albornoz.
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