Argentina have toppled New Zealand for the first time in a rugby Test, winning 25-15 to blow the Tri-Nations title race wide open.
Argentine coach Mario Ledesma wept tears of joy after plotting the Pumas’ first win over the All Blacks.
Led ferociously by flanker and inspired captain Pablo Matera, the Pumas dominated in almost every facet to notch a historic 25-15 victory in Sydney on Saturday.
Ex-Wallabies mentor turned Pumas assistant Michael Cheika was also a conspicuous figure alongside Ledesma in Argentina’s coaches’ box as the delirious South Americans rejoiced following their torrid triumph.
“Everything is hard in Argentina and at the moment it is one of the toughest times in our country so we want to show people that if you fight and you work hard, you get what you fight for,” Matera said.
Nicolas Sanchez scored all 25 of the Pumas’ points from a try, a conversion and six penalties in a record-setting display from the potent playmaker.
It was the most points collected in a Test in the two teams’ 30-match rivalry stretching to 1985.
While the All Blacks entered the game battled-hardened after four Bledisloe Cup stoushes with the Wallabies in barely a month, the Pumas were playing their first Test in more than a year.
But there were no signs of rust, just one solitary handling error as they outclassed the three-time world champions all over the park.
Matera was mighty and Sanchez punished the All Blacks for their ill-discipline.
He opened the scoring with a fourth-minute penalty before his New Zealand counterpart Richie Mo’unga replied to level the scores.
But by the time Sanchez had bagged a brilliant chip-and-chase try and banged over two more penalties, the Pumas went to the break with a 16-3 advantage.
Despite captain Sam Cane briefly reducing the deficit to nine points with the All Blacks’ first try in the 53rd minute, the Pumas were never going to be denied, converting their biggest halftime lead over New Zealand into a rousing win.
Caleb Clarke crossed for a consolation five-pointer after the siren, but it was too little too late.
“That was very tough,” said vanquished skipper Cane.
“Full credit to Argentina. They came out from the first whistle right to the end 80th (minute) with probably a little bit more intent and urgency than us.
“They beat us at the breakdown, off the line and they thoroughly deserved the win.
“They kept coming and they put their bodies in front really well and we struggled in continuity and to put them under pressure.”
After succumbing to the Wallabies last week, the All Blacks have now suffered back-to-back Test defeats for the first time since 2011.
“We’re hurting greatly,” said All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
“That was a frustrating response to a similar game last week.
“It’s the second week in a row where we haven’t had good composure when things haven’t quite gone our way…again we got rattled.”
Almost 10,000 fans flocked to Bankwest Stadium to witness the famous victory, which sets the stage for a thrilling climax to the six-week competition.
The winner of next Saturday night’s Wallabies versus Pumas clash in Newcastle will leapfrog the All Blacks and go top of the table, ensuring the new-look rugby championship goes down to the wire.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Maybe I should have clarified and said, anyone else better suited, who actually put their hand up. In the end it was a two horse race as no one else was interested. You will see if you read more, I’m an advocate of JJ leading a coaching team too. Probably even more so than Robertson, but he never threw his hat in as far as I know.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Robertson has had a pretty cushy ride with the Crusaders and hasn’t yet hit Robbies achievements with the side, yet everyone hates Robbie and loves Robertson. What else has he achieved won a title with the U20’s and got smacked about in a couple of others. Now I like Robertson but compared to Schmidt, Gats and Rennie he is still pretty green. Even Jamie has done some pretty amazing things with weaker sides which for me at least counts for quite a bit more than Robertson’s achievements, yet you don’t think these guys are better suited... Based on that sort of comment I am not sure anyone or anything could convince you of anyone else credentials.
Shaun Pillay
Roar Rookie
You are misinformed: our Boks woukd have to isolate after playing, and because of that would miss time at home. The original schedule had to be changed, because the (sm)all blacks didnt want to miss Christmas...now you want to moan? what a bunch of pansies! Boks are champs, we dont need to prove anything to chumps...
Shaun Pillay
Roar Rookie
Correction..."Nobody fears the All Blacks anymore" there, i fixed it! #ABeraisover
Azza
Guest
They were only number 1 for a lazy um, 509 weeks..
Azzabru
Guest
Cmon it was JAPAN! Nice try..
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yeah it's definitely a difference in context between Argentina and Aussie but the number of quality players overseas for Australia would be a huge boost to the Wallabies if they were able to return. McMahon, Gill, Arnold, Rodda, Latu, Kerevi etc currently and then previously guys like Fardy, Pocock and Quade etc. would have been excellent additions.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
That's not cause for the level of vitriol though - and its not as though there weren't mitigating factors (Aus SR went ZERO vs NZ for over a season) and some highlights. But he deserves to be judged on the results, agreed. Still I'd really like to understand why he's so hated? From where I sit - its largely because he wasn't 'GPS' enough...
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. And there a lot of AB fans with chups on their shoulders. These are the minority, but are generally the most vocal. The antipathy between rugby fans from either side of the ditch has increased and it’s not particularly pleasant. It use to be any one but England, now it any one but Aus/NZ depending on whether your a Vegemite or a Marmite. As if anyone other than us could tell the difference.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
Just my prediction, I could be totally wrong and we get out muscled again. The wallabies would have no excuses now though after that display
Suzy with your moniker perhaps you need to learn a few things about respect and about pulling your head in a bit too eh! The ONE major positive for me as an ABs fan is that Arg showed up SARU as sooks and it showed SA up to be weak...to have no legitimate reasons for not being here.....They showed their 100% true colours....to scared to play incase they lost....As many here, including myself, said when they pulled out that maybe they would have won and proved to be worthy champions but no they sooked off and played their rugby at home..... Covid was just as rampant in Arg yet here they are showing what a proud nation they are not some weak spined sooks like SARU is
Mike
Roar Rookie
I thought Gardner controlled the game much better than Berry in Bled 4. He got into the captain's faces as soon as there was any sign of niggle, told them what he expected, very firm, plenty of warnings. The players were just as aggressive in this game as Bled 4, but there were no cards. It shows how cards can be avoided if the referee gets onto the issue early, and strongly.
Mike
Roar Rookie
I've seen a couple of his in the past, and thought he was okay, but not outstanding. But Saturday night...
LBJ
Roar Rookie
I'd really like to understand your perspective better. The results are the results and he should be judged by them as a coach. But the disrespect for him goes much further than that. Can you articulate your view for me? (I genuinely don't understand it).
LBJ
Roar Rookie
'Any excuse'...is probably the best answer to that question. But I've genuinely noticed a shift in attitude from my kiwi acquaintances over the past decade. We no longer seem to be the 'second -favourite' team. And those I know REALLY disliked Cheika. He just never paid the AB'S the respect they felt they were due (their words - I'm just regurgitating.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Rather than change the law, just move the goalposts behind the dead-ball line (like gridiron). Every kick would be 15m longer. It's silly and dangerous having it in the field of play anyway.
glider
Guest
jeez mate - how long have you been watching - Cheika was an abject fail with the Wallabies.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thank you very much
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
The commitment and passion was there with a heck of a lot of physicality but there were also some great skills and impressive organising of defence too, which for me makes me think they'll continue impressing rugby audiences.
James in NZ
Guest
This is what being a supporter is all about, getting the pay off after all the patience. Having your faith repaid. We may have to negotiate that under dog off you now. :happy: