New Zealand vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship result as Pumas score famous win over All Blacks
The Pumas secured a famous victory over the All Blacks in Christchurch
Argentina beat the All Blacks for the first time on New Zealand soil with a 25-18 victory in a Rugby Championship test in Christchurch on Saturday.
The Pumas achieved their first ever win over New Zealand two years ago in another Rugby Championship match in Sydney.
Score: Argentina 25 (Juan Martin Gonzalez try; Emiliano Boffelli conversion, 6 penalties), New Zealand 18 (Samisoni Taukei’aho, Caleb Clarke tries; Richie Mo’unga conversion, 2 penalties). HT: 12-15
Follow all the reaction from the Test between the All Blacks and the Pumas with our live blog below.
Haka
Smith provides a hidden call from the heart of the New Zealand triangle as the All Blacks lay the challenge down, Smith settling into positio between bigger bodies as Argentina face up with steeled features.
God Defend New Zealand
Ardie Savea tilts his head back, eyes close, taking in the noise of the crowd as they accompany the anthem singer in “God Defend New Zealand”, in Maori first, as ever.
Right, it’s go time - Aaron Smith assembles the rest of the New Zealand squad and prepares to lead the Haka.
Argentine National Anthem
Michael Cheika watches on as his players sing the “Himno Nacional Argentino”, a more subdued version still building to that familiar, powerful crescendo.
Out come the players
It’s a cool night in Christchurch, hosting the All Blacks for the first time in six years. For the Crusaders players, this is familiar territory of course, and Scott Robertson’s side rarely yield their homestead.
New Zealand vs Argentina
A couple of bits of squad news to be aware of: New Zealand are unchanged from that win over South Africa, but have talented Blues fly-half-cum-full-back Stephen Perofeta awaiting a debut from the bench.
Argentina, meanwhile, bring Matias Orlando back into their starting side, joining new Newcastle Falcons teammate Matias Moroni in the centres. Sevens star Lucio Cinti starts on the wing, while the well-built Joel Sclavi starts at tighthead after helping La Rochelle to European Champions Cup glory last season.
On to New Zealand vs Argentina...
It’s a busy morning - we’ve barely time to draw breath before the second game of the day, international rugby returnin to Christchurch as New Zealand host Argentina. The All Blacks got back on track with a win in South Africa, but they will be wary of a dangerous visiting side who have already beaten them during this World Cup cycle.
The players are strapping on the final bits of tape in the changing rooms.
FULL TIME! AUSTRALIA 25-17 SOUTH AFRICA
An excellent win for Australia, a much-improved defensive showing and a significantly more clinical performance in attack. They had to really cling on at times in the first half as South Africa flexed their muscular might, and on another day might have been more harshly punished for their ill discipline, but two tries from the outstanding Fraser McReight and another for the impressive Marika Koroibete power them to victory.
TRY! Australia 25-17 SOUTH AFRICA (Kwagga Smith try, 80 minutes)
And South Africa narrow the margin of defeat on the hooter - a second for Kwagga Smith, furrowing a path between the legs of the Australian players after another quick tap.
Jaden Hendrikse drop-kicks the conversion, but there’s not enough time for a restart.
Yellow card! Rob Valetini is sent to the sin bin! Australia 25-10 South Africa, 79 minutes
Not for the first time today, it was one of the big lumbering locks slicing Australia open, Eben Etzebeth cutting a gorgeous line and deep into enemy territory.
Australia infringe at the ruck, and then again in the next passage - Rob Valetini won’t finish the game.
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