Amazing Classic
This time, the Argentinian XV entered the big leagues by beating the All Blacks (25-18) for the first time on Saturday in Christchurch, for the 3rd day of the Rugby Championship.
A historic achievement: Argentina won for the first time in its history in New Zealand (25-18) on Saturday in Christchurch, for the 3rd day of the Rugby Championship, plunging the All Blacks back into turmoil with this 6th defeat in eight games.
“As I’ve said over the past few weeks, we’re a rebuilding team and sometimes the confidence doesn’t come as quickly as we would like,” New Zealand coach Ian Foster said after the match, under fire. reviews for months.
“We don’t like to lose and we know our country doesn’t like to lose either. I think we’re all in the same boat: this defeat hurts,” he added.
For the Blacks, the crisis opened by the recent poor results is confirmed
The Argentinians were thrilled on Saturday after this feat acquired thanks to “discipline, defense and a perfect (Emiliano) Boffeli”, according to the daily Clarin.
In fact, the Pumas exploited the indiscipline of New Zealanders in full doubt, and notably won thanks to 20 points from their striker Emiliano Boffelli, author of six penalties and a conversion.
Thanks to this victory, Argentina “not only retained the lead in the tournament which brings together the powers of the southern hemisphere (the Rugby Championship), but it is also building, step by step, tackle after tackle, its way to the World Cup. in France, with unprecedented solidity”, again praised Clarin.
For the Blacks, the crisis opened by the recent poor results – defeats against France (40-25), Ireland (23-12 and 32-22), and South Africa (26-10) – – had barely calmed down with the latest success in South Africa. She should start again.
The future of Foster at the head of the Blacks could again be debated, barely ten days after being officially retained in his post by the boss of the New Zealand federation, Mark Robinson.
The hopes glimpsed during the victory against South Africa (35-23) two weeks ago were shattered against the Pumas.
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They put a lot of pressure on us in the second half, and we didn’t react as we would have liked
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Nervous and penalized many times during the game, the Blacks never showed the offensive efficiency that made their reputation, except on a try against Clarke in the 32nd minute.
“They put a lot of pressure on us in the second half, and we didn’t react the way we would have liked,” said third row and captain Sam Cane.
Coming up against an aggressive and efficient Argentine defense, the New Zealanders were hooked and several times led to the score by the Pumas, who definitively took the advantage on a try from third line Juan Martin Gonzalez (47th), after an error of Blacks on receipt of a dismissal. Two penalties from Boffelli (57th and 66th) sealed the fate of the match.
It’s only Argentina’s second victory against the Blacks in 34 games. Their first success dates back to 2020 (25-15), in Sydney, Australia.
“We’re really starting to believe that we can do it and it’s not just a moment of magic like the first time,” said Argentine captain Julian Montoya.
With this victory, the Argentinians retain the lead in the Rugby Championship, the tournament bringing together the four best nations in the southern hemisphere.
The two teams will face each other again next Saturday in Hamilton (New Zealand) for the 4th day.
