Santiago Carreras kicked 18 factors as Argentina overturned a first-half deficit to notch simply their third-ever win over New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.
Veteran hooker Agustin Creevy scored the decisive attempt as Los Pumas surprised the All Blacks 38-30 of their 2024 Rugby Championship opener at Sky Stadium.
The guests scored 4 tries to a few, with the 39-year-old Creevy touching down late within the sport handy All Blacks coach Scott Robertson his first defeat.
Robertson’s tenure opened with two tense residence wins over England final month however they couldn’t maintain out in opposition to a dedicated Pumas facet who trailed 20-15 at half-time.
Argentina gained the bodily exchanges within the second half, their ahead pack fantastically led by flanker and captain Pablo Matera.
Flyhalf Carreras saved the scoreboard ticking over, touchdown seven of eight pictures at purpose for an 18-point haul, together with a penalty within the dying minutes to increase Argentina’s result in eight factors and seal a well-known victory.
All Blacks No 10 Damian McKenzie kicked 15 factors and arrange two tries however his facet have been responsible of too many errors in opposition to opponents who feasted on errors.
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It continues a nightmare run of outcomes for the All Blacks at Sky Stadium, the place the Kiwis haven’t gained any of their final 5 Assessments, courting again to 2018.
They started effectively sufficient, with McKenzie touchdown an early penalty earlier than he arrange a sweeping attempt to lock Sam Darry by an audacious chip 10m from his personal tryline.
Lucio Cinti responded with a attempt for Argentina after midfield accomplice Santiago Chocobares sliced by the defence on the midway line.
McKenzie and Carreras traded penalties earlier than McKenzie’s deft go put Chiefs teammate Anton Lienert-Brown exterior a defender to attain.
Winger Mateo Carreras lifted the Pumas inside 5 factors on the stroke of half time, pouncing when a excessive kick was batted again loosely by the All Blacks to dart over.
Argentina snatched the lead two minutes after the interval when lock Franco Molina powered over from a lineout drive for his first Check attempt. Winger Mark Tele’a crossed to place the All Blacks 30-25 forward nearing the ultimate quarter.
However Argentina completed the stronger, with Check centurion Creevy powering over subsequent to the posts in one of many highlights of his 18-year profession with the Pumas.
The groups meet once more in Auckland subsequent Saturday.
© Agence France-Presse
Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Photographs
