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
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
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 30-35 Argentina, 74 minutes
It’s getting tense. Tomas Albornoz hooks a kick straight into touch - out on the full, and a chance for the All Blacks to play.
Or not! Agustin Creevy again with a huge moment, coming up with a breakdown turnover inside his own half! All of his experience is showing, with Pablo Matera again prominent in the defensive set, too.
New Zealand 30-35 Argentina, 73 minutes
Argentina kick to touch. Pablo Matera tests his new studs by leaping at the front of the lineout - both ascent and dismount are clean.
Santiago Chocobares makes 20 yards with a piercing carry, but Ardie Savea steals breakdown ball.
New Zealand 30-35 Argentina, 72 minutes
This is already the most points Argentina have tallied against the All Blacks in 38 meetings. An askew Asafo Aumua lineout throw allows another minute to tick away; a scrum penalty to the Pumas means 60 seconds more slip by.
Pablo Matera needs new footwear, the Argentina captain having run himself into the vground. He’s still fit and firing; his boots are not.
TRY! New Zealand 30-35 ARGENTINA (Agustin Creevy, 69 minutes)
What a moment for Agustin Creevy! Argentina lead the All Blacks in Wellington!
Just a sixth try in 109 games for the hooker, but it’s his fourth against New Zealand! Argentina had loaded up their bench with six forwards and they make an impact here, first destabilising the scrum and then punching holes in the All Blacks defence. Joaquin Oviedo writhes to within a metre, Mayco Vivas goes closer still, but it’s Creevy who sends them into dreamland, burrowing beneath a couple of defenders like a prized truffle-hunting pig. Wow!
New Zealand 30-28 Argentina, 67 minutes
Error after error from the All Blacks, self-harming thrice inside their own half having stolen Argentina’s lineout ball! Two passes hit the deck, the second of them shimmying over the line, with Rieko Ioane trapped in-goal.
A five-metre scrum for Argentina - what an opportunity...
New Zealand 30-28 Argentina, 66 minutes
One of New Zealand’s younger thrusters is on, Wallace Sititi into the back-row fray. Asafo Aumua has replaced Codie Taylor, too.
Damian McKenzie’s low kick skuds over the surface and out of play about two metres short of the Argentina 22. Ethan Blackadder is penalised at the lineout, though, preventing his side from putting the pressure on.
New Zealand 30-28 Argentina, 64 minutes
On for this scrum is Agustin Creevy, somehow still trucking several months beyond his 39th birthday. The hooker is just so passionate about the Pumas, and you’d imagine they’ll have to physically wrench him out of that shirt. Efrain Elias, packing down in the engine room behind him, was a year old when Creevy won his first cap in 2005. Remarkable longevity.
No try! New Zealand 30-28 Argentina, 63 minutes
Damian McKenzie slides over but his grimace rather reflects a collective fear from the All Blacks that the fly half’s pass earlier in the movement may have been forward.
Indeed it was. McKenzie’s inside ball for Will Jordan was lovely, but tossed a yard in front of the replacement, who was already beyond McKenzie’s shoulder. A shame, because Jordan’s interchange with Jordie and Beauden Barrett was nice, and McKenzie took the try nicely thereafter, but back we go for another scrum.
New Zealand 30-28 Argentina, 62 minutes
Argentina clear up to halfway, but the All Blacks show venom and variety in attack, swift transfers creating space for Dalton Papali’i to roam into up the right.
The Barrett brothers combine to bust Argentina open! A suspicion of a forward pass in there, but onwards the hosts go...
New Zealand 30-28 Argentina, 60 minutes
At last, something for the big boys to cheer - an hour into this game and we finally have a scrum! Hallelujah! A knock-on from Cortez Ratima from a gorgeous Beauden Barrett offload and Gonzalo Bertranou will feed it.
It’s a long time since Angus Gardner’s pre-match chat with both front rows, so he takes a moment to remind both sides of what he is expecting. In and out quickly with Argentina wobbling a little, but possession is safely theirs.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments