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History has been made. Argentina complete an historic win over New Zealand. The 25-15 win was Los Pumas’ first ever victory over the All Blacks. Nicolás Sánchez scored all of Argentina’s points; this, though was a dedicated team effort. Captain Pablo Matera dedicated the win to all the players who previously played for Los Pumas and to his country.
Mario Ledesma’s side held the lead for 67 minutes of the game. They held it together and had the fitness to go the distance. Early points saw fly halves trading points. It stop at 3-3 after 12 minutes.
The scores were level, though signs were that Los Pumas had the upper hand. Argentine rode their luck too. With a penalty advantage Nicolás Sánchez chipped and chased. A fortunate bounce off the shin of Rodrigo Bruni was picked up by Sánchez who scored. The try came off a 15 phase attack in All Blacks territory.
Sánchez added the conversion to put Los Pumas 7 points in the lead. It would become 13 points as he landed two further first half penalties. The 16-3 lead was built on winning the collision area. Matera, Matías Alemanno, Marcos Kremer, Julián Montoya, Guido Petti and the debuting Santiago Chocobares all impressed.
The job was half done. Tomás Cubelli looked to influence where the ball was in the second half. He box-kicked with regularity. There would be no aerial ping-pong; instead New Zealand’s approach was to counter attack. Resolute defense meant that spaces were rare for the All Blacks to exploit.
Sánchez slotted three second half penalties. The first gave Argentina a 19-3 lead. New Zealand turned down penalty shots at goal to go for tries. Errors let down the All Blacks; Pumas pressure was a notable cause.
New Zealand did cross. Captain Sam Cane went over following minutes camped deep in Los Pumas’ territory. Richie Mo’unga converted from wide. Other opportunities did not realist in points. That is, not until time was up.
A calm Argentina targeted the breakdown. Turnovers by Julián Montoya and Matera gave them both possession and penalties. Sánchez responded to Cane’s try by landing a shot at goal five minutes later. He added another with three minute later. It put Argentina 15 points clear; far too many even for the All Blacks in three minutes.
Rookie sensation Caleb Clarke scored a consolation try. It meant the final score gave Los Pumas a 10 point victory. With it Argentina will rise in the rankings.
The match was the first of four games for the South Americans in the Tri Nations. They will play again next Saturday against Australia. They win changes the shape of the competition. More importantly, it is truly historic.
SCORING
NEW ZEALAND 15
Tries – S.Cane (52′), C. Clarke (80′)
Cons – R. Mo’unga 1/2 (53′)
Pens – R. Mo’unga 1/1 (12′)
ARGENTINA 25
Tries – N. Sánchez (17′)
Cons – N. Sánchez 1/1 (18′)
Pens – N. Sánchez 6/7 (5′, 26′, 32′, 48′, 57′, 77′)
Drop goals – N. Sánchez 0/1
TEAMS
NEW ZEALAND
1 Joe Moody (17 Alex Hodgman 73′), 2 Dane Coles (16 Codie Taylor 49′), 3 Tyrel Lomax (18 Nepo Laulala 58′), 4 Patrick Tu’ipulotu (19 Tupou Vaa’i 70′), 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Shannon Frizell (20 Hoskins Sotutu 50′), 7 Sam Cane (capt.), 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Aaron Smith (21 Brad Weber 63′), 10 Richie Mo’unga, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Jack Goodhue (23 Damian McKenzie 64′), 13 Anton Lienert-Brown (22 Rieko Ioane 32′-HT), 14 Jordie Barrett (22 Rieko Ioane 50′), 15 Beauden Barrett
ARGENTINA
1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro (17 Mayco Vivas 72′), 2 Julián Montoya (16 Facundo Bosch 77′), 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela (18 Santiago Medrano 72′), 4 Guido Petti, 5 Matías Alemanno (20 Tomás Lezana 73′), 6 Pablo Matera (capt.), 7 Marcos Kremer, 8 Rodrigo Bruni (19 Santiago Grondona 54′), 9 Tomás Cubelli (21 Gonzalo Bertranou 77′), 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 11 Juan Imhoff, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 13 Matías Orlando, 14 Bautista Delguy, 15 Santiago Carreras (30′-HT)
Not used: 22 Lucio Cinti
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistants: Nic Berry (Australia) & Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Attendance: 9,063
