Australia v South Africa LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as dominant Springboks rout Wallabies
Australia 7-33 South Africa: The world champions showed their superiority at Suncorp Stadium to open their Rugby Championship campaign with a win
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South Africa showed their strength in a dominant performance as they kicked off the Rugby Championship with a 33-7 win over Australia in Brisbane.
The Wallabies had been three wins from three under new head coach Joe Schmidt, but were comfortably second best at Suncorp Stadium, unable to match the world champions’ set-piece superiority and physical edge. The Springboks were in total control for the entire contest, scoring thrice before half time having won the territorial battle, and adding two more tries after the interval to make totally certain as hot-stepping wing Kurt-Lee Arendse capitalised with a couple of scores.
Australia had their chances in the second half, but will rue their profligacy inside the visitors’ 22, coughing up possession repeatedly in advanced areas. For a young side in rebuilding mode after Schmidt’s appointment, there were signs of encouragement defensively but the hosts’ kicking game and attacking accuracy was short of the standards required to match Rassie Erasmus’ fearsome side.
The pair will meet again in Perth next week with the Springboks seeking just a second Rugby Championship crown since Argentina’s addition to the competition as they look to unseat defending champions New Zealand.
Follow all the latest reaction from Suncorp Stadium below:
Argentina stun All Blacks to throw Rugby Championship wide open and continue New Zealand’s Wellington woe
Argentina stunned New Zealand with a 38-30 win away in Wellington as they outscored the All Blacks four tries to three in a dramatic start to the hosts’ defence of their Rugby Championship title.
It was only a third ever win for the Pumas over New Zealand in 38 meetings as the adventurous spirit of the Argentines prevailed against a ragged-looking All Blacks, who were uncharacteristically error prone.
The lead changed several times before Argentina prevailed in an exciting encounter that was in stark contrast to New Zealand’s one sided 44-6 win over the Pumas when they last met in the World Cup semi-final in Paris last October.
Argentina’s tries came from Lucio Cinti, Mateo Carreras, Franco Molina and a poignantly decisive try for the 39-year-old Agustin Creevy.
Santiago Carerras kicked over a vital 18 points with four penalties and three conversions to deal New Zealand a sixth defeat in their last seven games at Sky Stadium.
Argentina stun All Blacks to throw Rugby Championship wide open
New Zealand 30-38 Argentina: Veteran hooker Agustin Creevy burrowed over late on as the Pumas produced a remarkable performance to pull off a third-ever win over their hosts
Argentina stun All Blacks in Wellington
What is it about Wellington for the All Blacks? They haven’t beaten anyone in the capital since 2018, and it’s one win in seven at Sky Stadium for the side. New Zealand just weren’t quite at it tonight, lacking calm and composure in the final quarter and all over the place defensively. But Argentina had to take advantage, and did so in some style.
Argentina veteran Agustin Creevy reacts to a stunning Pumas win
“It was amazing. We had a really good performance. We said in the week that we wanted to hit first, and we hit first - we dominated the whole game.
“For me, I’m 39 and this is the first time I’ve won in New Zealand. It’s so important for me and the whole team. We work a lot, it’s tough sometimes, but this game for us is f***** amazing. Now, I want to win next week - two games in a row, we’ll go for that.”
FULL TIME! New Zealand 30-38 Argentina
There are tears of joy and disbelief on the faces of the Argentina players - after so long without a win over the All Blacks, it’s three in four years for the Pumas! A second on New Zealand soil, and they’ve put 38 points on the hosts - the most that New Zealand have ever conceded at home.
FULL TIME! New Zealand 30-38 Argentina
New Zealand 30-38 Argentina, 80 minutes
The All Blacks won’t even earn a bonus point as things stand. AND A FINAL PENALTY AT THE BREAKDOWN WILL ALLOW ARGENTINA TO SEE OUT THE CLOCK!
New Zealand 30-38 Argentina, 79 minutes
Argentina safely take the restart. Down the clock ticks, 70 seconds, 60 seconds, 50 seconds. It’s going to be another famous day for Argentine rugby.
PENALTY! New Zealand 30-38 ARGENTINA (Santiago Carreras, 79 minutes)
It’s straight and true from Santiago Carreras, despite slipping as he strikes! Argentina lead by eight with a minute and a half to play!!
New Zealand 30-35 Argentina, 77 minutes
A shocking lineout drill as the All Blacks’ replacements show their inexperience! Asafo Aumua throws but there is no lifted player to take!
Argentina have the ball, and a penalty! It’s right in front of the sticks. This would surely seal it...
New Zealand 30-35 Argentina, 76 minutes
The Pumas’ maul goes on the march, forcing the All Blacks into retreat. New Zealand fall back to 10 metres from their own-line. We are in drop goal territory, Tomas Albornoz beginning to find a pocket...but it’s an All Blacks penalty! Ardie Savea is almost single-handedly keeping his side alive, limpeting over Agustin Creevy as the hooker goes it alone.
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