Argentina stunned the All Blacks by beating three-time world champions on New Zealand soil for the first time with a 25-18 victory in a rugby championship test in Christchurch.
The Pumas scored their first ever win against New Zealand just two years ago in another league match in Sydney and Saturday’s win was of the same mold, with a magnificent defense backed by iron discipline.
“I am very proud of our team, we are starting to believe in what we can do, not just in a magical moment like our first win (in Sydney),” said captain Julian Montoya.
“Very, very happy, very, very proud, it’s a very special moment for us.”
Winger Emiliano Boffelli’s boot, who took five penalties, kept them competing when New Zealand scored two first-half tries and kept them ahead after flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez scored an opportunistic try in the second time.
New Zealand, who played the last nine minutes with 14 men after Shannon Frizell received a yellow card, will almost certainly be plunged back into the crisis that apparently ended with victory over South Africa a year ago. two weeks.
Samisoni Taukei’aho and Caleb Clarke’s tries should have given them a comfortable advantage at half time, but the lack of discipline during the match cost them dearly.
“In the first half we definitely felt we were more dominant in the areas than we were able to show on the scoreboard,” said All Blacks captain Sam Cane.
“Much of the credit goes to Argentina for the way they held out and ultimately changed things.”
The win gives Argentina back-to-back Rugby League victories for the first time since their impressive 48-17 win against Australia in San Juan two weeks ago.
They also remain at the top of the championship standings in terms of points difference ahead of Australia, who previously beat South Africa 25-17 in Adelaide.
– with PA