Victorious over the Australians (48-17), a fortnight ago, the Pumas confirmed their rise to power by winning for the first time on New Zealand soil (18-25), Saturday, during the third day of the Rugby Championship. Historic success, therefore, for Argentina’s captain Julian Montoya on the lawn of Addington Stadium in Christchurch.
In this small setting usually reserved for treizistes, they took advantage – thanks to the precise foot of Emiliano Boffelli, author of six goals – of the filthy indiscipline of the All Blacks (nine penalties against them in the first period) to stick to the score. Indeed, at the break, they were not left behind (15-12) despite the two tries scored by the All Blacks (Taukei’ako in force in the 11th, Clarke in overflow in the 32nd).
In the second half, taking advantage of an aerial ball poorly negotiated by the Kiwi pack, the tonic Argentinian flanker Gonzalez Samso spun alone on the try, mystifying three opponents before scoring a corner try (47th) transformed by the impeccable Boffelli.
Still as punished on the ground, the All Blacks were irretrievably left behind (18-25) by feeding their opponent, the former member of Racing 92 thus totaling twenty points on foot. In front of 18,000 appalled spectators, the feat was therefore within reach of the Pumas, considering on the one hand the poverty of the New Zealand game and on the other the mental solidity of the Argentinians, their legendary “grinta”.
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Argentina now has two victories against New Zealand, after that won in Australia as part of the Tri Nations in November 2020 (25-15). The All Blacks have won 31 of their official matches, drawing 21-21 in Buenos Aires in November 1985.
Third straight defeat for the All Blacks at home
A few disorderly attacks did not allow the New Zealanders of captain Sam Cane to reverse the course of a test match which was never favorable to them. This failure is the third consecutive defeat of the All Blacks on their soil, a series also “historic” which testifies to the deep crisis they have been going through since last June and the visit of Ireland.
This defeat should plunge New Zealand rugby back into an ocean of criticism, despite a success in South Africa (23-35) a fortnight ago. The two teams will meet in Hamilton, in the province of Waikato, next Saturday.