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:
New Zealand 10-0 Argentina, 19 minutes
The home side very nearly conjure another spectacular try, Anton Lienert-Brown busting through the line and hurling an ambitious wide pass that Sevu Reece looks favourite to collect. It just catches the breeze, though, forcing Reece to leap to try and take, and the ball spills in a tangle of limbs on the edge of the Argentina 22.
New Zealand 10-0 Argentina, 18 minutes
It hasn’t at all been a bad start from Argentina, either. They’ve looked spunky in attack and solid in defence, but that sort of score is always the danger against the All Blacks.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 10-0 Argentina (Sam Darry, 16 minutes)
An extraordinary coast-to-coast try!
What a remarkable score! Argentina cough up possession on the fringes of New Zealand’s 22, and off the All Blacks go. Damian McKenzie chips, chases and beats a sluggish Thomas Gallo to the bouncing ball, connecting with Beauden Barrett.
There is no-one within 15 metres of the full-back as he advances up the right, but Barrett is so intelligent, dropping boot to ball and kicking some 30 metres infield where three teammates are chasing. Two of them are tight-five forwards, emblematic of the All Blacks’ all-court game, and though a horror bounce kippers Codie Taylor, lock Sam Darry is on hand to mop up and spin to the line. It’s a try, really, that only New Zealand would score - McKenzie converts and the hosts are into their work!
New Zealand 3-0 Argentina, 13 minutes
Lucio Cinti gets his big mitts to TJ Perenara’s attempted box kick, blocking it into touch. Perenara can be vulnerable to charge downs, not perhaps the best technical box kicker.
And again! Argentina are putting the pressure on the scrum half and there is a flick of Argentine fingers en route to the touchline. That will give New Zealand the throw, but Perenara will have to tighten up his technique or sort himself some more protection.
PENALTY! NEW ZEALAND 3-0 Argentina (Damian McKenzie, 12 minutes)
Simple as you like for Damian McKenzie. The All Blacks are first on the board.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 11 minutes
Six penalties in eleven minutes against Argentina, this one for offside. Pablo Matera is called in for a warning as coach Felipe Contepomi fumes in the box, barking down his microphone to get a message on to his side.
The All Blacks will take the opportunity to get the scoring started from the tee.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 10 minutes
This game hasn’t yet settled into any kind of shape. Argentina’s lineout goes awry, a hand on an All Black jumper conceding another penalty. New Zealand don’t fancy the three; to that left corner they return.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 9 minutes
Outstanding maul defence! Juan Martin Gonzalez takes the plaudits, he and the rest of this brilliant, beastly back row splintering the All Blacks drive and isolating Codie Taylor. A penalty to Argentina.
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 8 minutes
The All Blacks go on an adventure with advantage, keeping the ball alive even after a couple of missed connections. A corner-flagging Lucio Cinti does very well to get to Sevu Reece and deny him a sprint to the line.
Back for the penalty. To the corner New Zealand go...
New Zealand 0-0 Argentina, 7 minutes
An intervention from TMO Brett Cronan, spotting a tackle from Eduardo Bello on Ardie Savea that is high. The head-to-head contact is minimal, and it will just be a penalty.
Into the Pumas 22 the All Blacks go for the first time.
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