VIDEO: Argentina shock All Blacks in Sydney

TRI-NATIONS REPORT: A courageous Argentina team stunned the All Blacks 25-15 Saturday to pull off one of rugby’s biggest upsets, consigning an embarrassed New Zealand to their first back-to-back defeats in almost a decade.

Flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez scored all the Pumas’ points to hand them their maiden victory over the rugby powerhouse in the 30 Tests they have played.

Mario Ledesma’s side were given virtually no chance ahead of the Tri-Nations match in Sydney after a coronavirus-hindered build-up of only two low-key practice games.

But in their first Test since the World Cup last year, they pulled off a miracle.

It was a humiliating defeat for New Zealand who were shocked 22-24 by the Wallabies in Brisbane last week and have now lost back-to-back Tests for the first time since 2011 when they crashed to South Africa and Australia.

Coach Ian Foster axed 10 players and named what many regarded as the All Blacks’ best run-on side after last week’s game, but they were no match for a Pumas team helped by former Australian coach Michael Cheika.

Unlike Australia and New Zealand, Argentina did not have a Super Rugby competition to help them prepare. But after months of quarantine, they were chomping at the bit and took their frustrations out on a sloppy All Blacks in a dominant first-half.

With New Zealand struggling to create chances with poor kicking, ill-discipline and too many errors, they incredibly went to the break 16-3 in front.

New Zealand staged a second-half fightback, but with their eyes on a major upset, Argentina grimly resisted intense pressure to post their best-ever result.

Dangerman Sanchez

Argentina got the first points on the board in the fifth minute with Sanchez nailing a penalty from the halfway line after some push and shove instigated by New Zealand’s Shannon Frizell.

It didn’t take long for Richie Mo’unga to level the scores but Argentina were playing well, stringing together plenty of phases.

Their pressure culminated in dangerman Sanchez crossing for the first try of the game, getting on the end of his own chip kick to touch down under the posts.

He converted to give his side an unlikely lead which they stretched to 13-3 when Sanchez drilled another penalty, with Jordie Barrett the offender.

Only a try-saving tackle from Aaron Smith prevented the Pumas going further in front after Tomas Cubelli broke free, but more All Blacks ill-discipline handed them another penalty which the laser-like Sanchez again put over.

It sent them to the break with a comfortable lead, leaving New Zealand with a major task to save their blushes.

That only got harder when the boot of the irrepressible Sanchez earned Argentina another three points soon after the restart.

With their reputation on the line, New Zealand finally woke up and skipper Sam Cane crashed over for their opening try on 52 minutes after a nicely worked rolling maul from a line-out.

Mo’unga converted only for Sanchez to move the Pumas back into a 12-point lead with another successful penalty.

New Zealand began applying heavy pressure and Caleb Clarke scored a late try, but the Argentinian defence had done enough to ensure a famous win.

Man of the match: We would like to give the award to every Argentina player, but we can’t. The award goes to Argentina flyhalf Nicolas Sanchez, who was simply outstanding. He controlled the game and kept the scoreboard ticking over with his boot and he scored a magnificent try.

Moment of the match: Nicolas Sanchez’s try in the first half was a moment of brilliance. Pablo Matera’s steal at the breakdown late in the match sent shivers down the spine.

Villain: No one.

The scorers:

For New Zealand:
Tries: Cane, Clarke
Con: Mo’unga
Pen: Mo’unga

For Argentina:
Try: Sanchez
Con: Sanchez
Pens: Sanchez 6

Teams:

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Damian McKenzie.

Argentina: 15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Nicolas Sánchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Rodrigo Bruni, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Matias Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Gómez-Kodela, 2 Julian Montoya, 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo.
Replacements: 16 Facundo Bosch, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Santiago Medrano, 19 Santiago Grondona, 20 Tomas Lezana, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Lucio Cinti, 23 Santiago Cordero.

Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant referees: Nic Berry, Paul Williams
TMO: Ben O’Keefe

AFP & @rugby365com