Argentina achieved a historic victory over the All Blacks, securing their third win. The game occurred in Wellington, and veteran Agustín Creevy’s late-night strike sealed the 38-30 victory, an unforgettable moment in rugby history.
Creevy expressed his pride in the win, calling it a special day for Argentine rugby. Skipper Pablo Matera also praised the team’s hard work and commitment to their game plan, even when the score was not in their favor.
Anton Lienert-Brown’s exceptional performance at center, Damian McKenzie’s magical moments, and Sam Darry’s dazzling debut were truly impressive. However, the result left Ardie Savea disappointed, as he felt the All Blacks couldn’t withstand the pressure.
This marks the first loss of Scott Robertson’s tenure and will continue to dent the All Blacks’ dominance in recent years, which the team and their fans will deeply feel.
The All Blacks initially scored a 6-1 lead in penalties, but Argentina took the lead 22-20 after a clever lineout move by Franco Molina. Anton Lienert-Brown regained the advantage with his third penalty goal, and Ethan Blackadder was penalized for a shoulder-to-head contact, giving Argentina the lead again.
Will Jordan made his long-awaited return to test rugby, and Mark Telea broke through from the base of a ruck. Argentina continued to dominate the game, with Creevy powering over the line to put the Pumas in front with ten minutes to play. Although the Pumas conceded a penalty under their sticks, their lineout woes continued. Eventually, they forced another penalty right in front to extend the lead to eight.
This victory highlights the challenge for New Zealand, especially given the upcoming return match in Auckland next week. Wellington continues to be the All Blacks’ least successful venue worldwide.
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