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
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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:
Australia 0-21 South Africa, 45 minutes
And a penalty to Australia! Carlo Tizzano hasn’t necessarily had the impact he might have liked on debut, but that’s a better look at what the openside can do, capitalising on excellent tackling from Len Ikitau and Hunter Paisami with an expert jackal.
Australia 0-21 South Africa, 45 minutes
Stolen in the air! A first lineout misfire from Malcolm Marx, the Wallabies jumping at the front and getting a hand to the hooker’s throw. Jake Gordon hooks a very good clearance up beyond halfway.
Australia 0-21 South Africa, 43 minutes
More lienout variety from South Africa, tossed over the top to Cheslin Kolbe, who is well met by a couple of Australia n defenders. Harry Wilson muddies breakdown ball for Cobus Reinach, slowing South Africa, but Eben Etzebeth regathers momentum with a meaty carry into Hunter Paisami.
Paisami is somewhat harshly penalised for using hands on the floor when it appeared he had stripped Etzebeth in the air. Back the frustrtated Wallabies traipse to defend their own line.
Australia 0-21 South Africa, 42 minutes
Frost appears to have become a cyclops, his right eye closed and bruised. That can’t be helpful, but he’ll stick his head back into the scrum spokes as South Africa pile the pressure on again.
A penalty to the Springboks, almost inevitably.
Australia 0-21 South Africa, 41 minutes
Slipper manages to stabilise the Australian scrum slightly, holding his own against Frans Malherbe and Luke Pearce thus resetting it as it wheels. Slipper grabs the referee for a word while lock Nick Frost is strapped up, a wound on his head having opened up.
Second half
Noah Lolesio gets things going again. A couple of changes for Australia - Josh Nasser is indeed on for Matt Faessler, while James Slipper’s experience is also called for, replacing Isaac Kailea at loosehead.
Second half...
Pretty much a two-thirds to a third split of possession and territory in favour of South Africa - it’s just impossible to beat a side like the Springboks if you don’t have kicking game parity at least.
What ides can Joe Schmidt come up with at the interval? It looks like Josh Nasser might be coming on, the replacement hooker stripped and ready. Andrew Kellaway is back amongst things, of course, having served his time in the sin bin.
HT: Australia 0-21 South Africa
Punishing defence, territorial dominance, set-piece supremacy - it’s been a vintage Springboks show so far in Brisbane. A couple of fun tactical tweaks have added to their sheer superiority over an out-matched Wallabies, who have battled brilliantly defensively but just not had enough nous or gnarl to swing the contest their way.
It’s probably a fair reflection of where these two sides are at. Can the hosts find something after half time?
HALF TIME: Australia 0-21 South Africa
Australia 0-21 South Africa, 40 minutes
A second 22 entry for Australia as the hooter blares. How they need a score here...
But they won’t get one. A fumble on the floor and that’s that for the first 40.
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