Pumas bite All Blacks
Wellington, New Zealand, AFP: Stalwart Agustin Creevy scored the decisive try as an inspired Argentina stunned New Zealand 38-30 in their Rugby Championship Test in Wellington on Saturday. The Pumas scored four tries to three to notch just their third-ever win over New Zealand, with 39-year-old hooker Creevy putting Argentina in front when he crossed late in the game to hand All Blacks coach Scott Robertson his first defeat.
Robertson’s tenure opened with two tense home wins over England last month but they couldn’t hold out against a committed Pumas side who trailed 20-15 at half-time. Argentina won the physical exchanges in the second half, their forward pack superbly led by flanker and captain Pablo Matera. Fly-half Santiago Carreras kept the scoreboard ticking over, landing seven of eight shots at goal for an 18-point haul, including a penalty in the dying minutes to extend Argentina’s lead to eight points and seal a famous victory.
All Blacks fly-half Damian McKenzie kicked 15 points and set up two tries but his side were guilty of too many mistakes against opponents who feasted on errors. It continues a nightmare run of results for the All Blacks at Wellington’s Sky Stadium venue, where they haven’t won any of their last five Tests, dating back to 2018.