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:
Team news - New Zealand
Captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out of the All Blacks’ first two fixtures of the Rugby Championship, with Ardie Savea stepping up to skipper in his stead. Barrett is joined in the treatment room by fellow lock Patrick Tuipulotu, prompting an opportunity for Sam Darry after a debut against Fiji, while Ethan Blackadder occupies the blindside. Stephen Perofeta is absent with a calf problem, making the return from shoulder surgery of Will Jordan timely — he bolsters the back three options on the bench.
New Zealand XV: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax; 4 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Sam Darry; 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 8 Ardie Savea (captain); 9 TJ Perenara, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Mark Tele’a, 12 Jordan Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 14 Sevu Reece; 15 Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Wallace Sititi; 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Will Jordan.
On to New Zealand vs Argentina...
There’s little time to reflect on that opener - the second game of the opening day of the 2024 Rugby Championship is almost upon us, with New Zealand and Argentina preeparing to tangle in Wellington. Let’s check in on the two teams...
FT: Australia 7-33 South Africa
A commanding performance from the world champions, showing their class and flexing their muscles in a dominant victory in Brisbane. Some signs to encourage Joe Schmidt with the Wallabies’ defensive fight, but there is so much work to do on their kicking game, set piece and attacking accuracy.
FULL TIME! Australia 7-33 South Africa
Australia 7-33 South Africa, 81 minutes
That final go lasts less than 30 seconds. Luke Reimer drops the ball cold as he readies himself for a stern South African examination in contact, and that’s that!
Australia 7-33 South Africa, 80 minutes
Into the final moments with South Africa still putting their bodies on the line defensively. A crunching hit and pilfering fingers from Malcolm Marx ensure they survive a last goalline stand, and a brilliant kick chase draws a penalty up on their own ten-metre.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu fancies more, aiming for the corner...but missing. Australia gather and will have a last go.
YELLOW CARD! Jesse Kriel is sent to the sin bin! Australia 7-33 South Africa, 79 minutes
But the Springboks will finish with 13 men - Jesse Kriel thrusts up a pinching paw trying to intercept a wide pass, but can’t gather. Luke Pearce shows his fourth yellow card of the contest as Australia eye one more score.
Australia 7-33 South Africa, 78 minutes
Handre Pollard overcooks his restart, granting the hosts a midfield scrum back on halfway. Malcolm Marx returns from the sin bin to be part of the counter-shove.
TRY! AUSTRALIA 7-33 South Africa (Hunter Paisami, 76 minutes)
At last!
It had to come eventually. It’s taken 76 minutes and the Wallabies needed South Africa to be down two defenders, but space does finally open up for Hunter Paisami to slide in after Harry Wilson’s intelligent injection at the base with scrum half Tate McDermott tied up. Over goes the conversion, which matters little other than in the final accounting.
Australia 0-33 South Africa, 74 minutes
My oh my. It’s not Australia’s day, another careless carry into contact from Dylan Pietsch bringing another handling error inside the South Africa 22. That rather sums up a properly untidy performance in the opposition red area, which will infuriate Joe Schmidt and his staff.
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