Argentina Beat New Zealand 25-15
Argentina Beat New Zealand For The First Time
Yes you did read this correctly. With the bookies predicting a thrashing of the Argentinians, this was a surprise scoreline at the final whistle.
Mario Ledesma the former Argentine hooker and now head coach really did pull a rabbit out from the hat this weekend. With 33 previous attempts going back to 1976, they had never beaten the All Blacks. Looking back to July 2019 saw them lose to the New Zealanders by just 4 points, in a close game that was seen by many as one of the best performances by the Pumas. Prior to that, the closest they’d come to a victory was an impressive 21-21 draw in 1985.
With an international break of 13 months due to Covid and canceled fixtures, the Pumas had obviously used this time effectively. With Nicolas Sanchez the fly half being fit and ready for this fixture, he proved this point by scoring all the points for the Argentinian side. His converted try and six penalties putting him out there on the world stage
How much of an impact and difference did the recruiting of former Australia and Leinster coach Michael Cheika have in revamping the Pumas? This might be answered in the next few internationals, to show this wasn’t just a one off fluke. To go to Sydney and beat the All Blacks 25 to 15 is no easy task for any team. What is even more surprising though is this result follows on from the loss the week before in Brisbane against Australia, who scraped a win by 2 points in a 24 – 22 final score. Interestingly the Wallabies’ Kiwi coach Dave Rennie was a former Chiefs coach as was his opposing coach Ian Foster.
Not since August 2011 have the All Blacks lost 2 matches on the bounce. I wonder what odds you can get on the next game being a third defeat? Now that really would be a kick in the proverbials for sure.
World Rankings
South Africa and England, proudly sit first and second respectively. With New Zealand in third place, which is the lowest spot that they have been since 2003, things are looking a little rocky!
Argentina faces Australia next playing at the McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle NSW. Then they have the return fixture against New Zealand. The same venue hosts the Tri Nations Round 5 fixture between Argentina v New Zealand, which will be played on Saturday 28 November 2020. Can the Pumas do the double over the All Blacks? One thing for sure, New Zealand coach Ian Foster will need to see a huge improvement or he could be looking at being replaced. It was only 11 months ago we were informed that “Ian Foster, the All Blacks assistant coach, has been named as Steve Hansen’s successor as head coach of New Zealand’s national rugby team”. The shoes were there to be filled and as Hansen had been so successful, it needed someone of quality to take this position.
