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Argentina’s 48-17 win over Australia in San Juan was historic. It was easily the biggest win by Los Pumas against Australia. Previous wins had been by up to 15 points. More importantly, the win set a new record to become Los Pumas’ biggest win over a Tier 1 opponent.
Los Pumas’ previous record winning margin against a Tier 1 opponent was 30 points. Argentina defeated Italy 36-6 in Rome in 2002. On that occasion the Marecelo Loffreda coached Pumas dominated the Europeans, scoring five tries to zero.
The next biggest win was against France in 2010. Under Santiago Phelan, Los Pumas were 41-13 winners in Buenos Aires. Felipe Contepomi scored a career-best 31 points. He had also played in the aforementioned win in Rome.
Argentina’s fourth biggest over a Tier 1 side win was also against France. Los Pumas were 34-10 winners in Paris in 2007. The result saw the South Americans taking home Bronze Medals from the World Cup. Loffreda’s team again included Felipe Contepomi. The late Federico Martín Aramburu started and was a try scorer.
Rounding out the top five was Argentina’s 22 win over Wales in 2021. The 33-21 win was one of three wins by Argentina in 2021. The others were also in Europe; Los Pumas defeated Romania in July and Italy in November. The win over Italy was by 21 points, one less than the win over Wales in July. Argentina also won by 21 against Italy in 2001.
* Tier 1 rugby teams are Argentina, Australia, England, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales. This arguably ought to have been altered in recent years to include Fiji and Japan.
