VIDEO: The bizarre 15 seconds that cost the All Blacks
WATCH fifteen dreadful seconds of play that may have cost the All Blacks a victory over Argentina in Wellington on Saturday in their opening Rugby Championship match.
In a closely contested game, Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina secured a dramatic victory over New Zealand with a 38-30 scoreline.
The match hinged on a disastrous attacking sequence for the All Blacks in the 66th minute with New Zealand leading 30-28.
They had possession and an opportunity to extend their lead but instead gifted Argentina a chance that would prove decisive.
New Zealand won a line-out in Argentina’s half setting up what should have been a routine attacking phase. However, the execution fell apart immediately in an almost comical fashion.
A shocking pass from captain Ardie Savea missed its intended target Damian McKenzie forcing him to scramble back to retrieve the ball. Under pressure, McKenzie attempted another pass that went awry missing its mark again and putting his team further under the pump.
The miscue culminated in Argentina tackling Rieko Ioane over the try line resulting in a five-metre scrum for the Pumas. Argentina capitalized on this gift with veteran hooker Agustin Creevy scoring the decisive try.
Los Pumas’ forward pack dominated the All Blacks in the second-half with flank and captain Pablo Matera leading by example.
The victory marked only the third time Argentina has defeated New Zealand in rugby history a significant achievement. For All Blacks coach Scott Robertson this match marked his first defeat in charge following two narrow wins against England the previous month.
Turning point here. New Zealand nab the lineout but lose *50* metres and cough up a five-metre scrum with two inexplicably bad passes. pic.twitter.com/fuGToLDOHl
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) August 10, 2024
Source: Rugbypass
