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:
Australia 0-0 South Africa, 9 minutes
Another penalty against Australia allows South Africa to return to advanced territtory, and Harry Wilson is then pinged in the maul set-up. Discipline is becoming a bit of a problem for the Wallabies; Allan Alaalatoa lends an ear to Luke Pearce as the referee gives a short explanation, the skipper knowing hhis side need to clean up.
South Africa go to the corner.
Missed penalty! Australia 0-0 South Africa, 7 minutes
Yikes. Feinberg-Mngomezulu had been eight from eight in his young Test career, but that is an ugly duckling attempting a first flight, off line and pitching short of the posts anyway. Not the best start from the first-time Test fly half.
Australia 0-0 South Africa, 5 minutes
A shallow up-and-under from Noah Lolesio allows South Africa a chance to attack, Etzebeth sure of hand and foot this time as he makes elephantine progress up the right. Harry Wilson eventually snares him but a breakdown penalty will grant Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu a chance from the tee...
Australia 0-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
A fun tactical tweak from South Africa off that scrum, though it ultimately came to nought - Cheslin Kolbe was the man to retrieve it from the base with Cobus Reinach pushing out wide to add a distributing option. Toulouse did in the past use Kolbe as a stand-in number eight at times to create problems for defences with his speed, leaving a bigger carrier in midfield - one to monitor.
South Africa kick into the 22 and Bongi Mbonambi finds his jumper. But the attacking play thereafter is lacking in purpose, Eben Etzebeth not expecting Reinach’s pass and knocking it on. He clings on to it on the floor in desperation and is penalised. Another good defensive effort from the hosts.
Australia 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes
Excellent intent from Australia in their initial defensive set, biffing Pieter-Steph du Toit and a couple of subsequent runners towards the touchline. A small knock-on from a Wallabies hand will lead to a first scrum skirmish - and the Springboks front row goes to work, drawing a penalty wide on the left.
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