Summary
Thank you for your company this afternoon. I logged on expecting an All Blacks procession and a reaction to the Wallabies defeat, instead we’ve been treated to a small slice of history. Vamos Argentina!
Updated
Ian Foster was gracious in defeat, crediting Argentina for their discipline and mentality from the outset. On Kiwi TV John Kirwan could barely hide his anger that an all Blacks coach could acknowledge his side was beaten mentally.
The initial reaction then spilled over into leadership, tactics, and individual qualities. It’s going to be a noisy couple of weeks of reflection.
The poles of victory and defeat are going to be extreme in the aftermath to this result. For Argentina there will be celebrations of historic proportions to reflect the scale of their accomplishment. For New Zealand, suffering consecutive defeats for the first time since 2011 (and just a couple of matches after a home draw to the Wallabies too) there will be plenty of soul searching. This was a full strength starting XV. There was no experimentation like last week’s defeat in Brisbane. Ian Foster is not long in the job but he must already be feeling the heat.
“This is a big day for all the rugby in Argentina” says Pablo Matera, “nothing comes easy in Argentina.” The Argentinian captain then praises his side’s defence and discipline while behind him the entire Pumas camp celebrates in delirious fashion.
On the fringes of those celebrations stands Nicolas Sanchez with a look of disbelief on his face as if he can’t take in everything that has just occurred. That everything includes 20 points off his boot and five from an opportunistic first-half try.
🕓 FINAL DEL PARTIDO. HISTORIA PURA.
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) November 14, 2020
Descontó @allblacks para maquillar el resultado, pero este día ya es inolvidable. ¡GIGANTES @lospumas!
🇦🇷🇳🇿#VamosLosPumas #PersonalTriNations2020 pic.twitter.com/8ZKDGxI0mf
“Full credit to Argentina” says a despondent Sam Cane, crediting Los Pumas for their intent, work at the breakdown, and physicality. There’s also frustration at his side’s lack of discipline and errors.
The inquest to this defeat will be searching in New Zealand.
Wow, the Puma’s defence has been fantastic. They thoroughly deserve this win.
— Christian Davies (@Christi58198460) November 14, 2020
This cannot be emphasised enough. This was not a freak outcome. Argentina were simply the better side.
402 days since Argentina last played a Test match. Four weeks in quarantine. Just two warm-up hitouts. And they have beaten the All Blacks for the first time in 30 encounters. Extraordinary.
New Zealand 15-25 Argentina
The greatest moment in Argentinian rugby history. 10-point victors over the mighty All Blacks, and they were worth it. Incredible in defence and efficient in attack, what a day to remember for Los Pumas.
TRY! New Zealand 15-25 Argentina (Clarke 80+2)
New Zealand keep coming - phase after phase and through sheer force of will Caleb Clarke muscles his way over in the left corner. Too little too late.
Mo’unga misses the kick, and the final whistle blows.
79 mins: The All Blacks are not giving up, but they have to find a miracle at this late stage. They earn a turnover in midfield shortly after the restart and that sets them going forward through phases, Clarke, then Savea, then Weber - who grasses it! The Argentina fans are making a racket in the stands.
Penalty! New Zealand 10-25 Argentina (Sanchez 78)
NICOLAS SANCHEZ! FROM THE HALFWAY LINE!
77 mins: The clearing kick sends Los Pumas to halfway and they secure the lineout without fuss. And as they land Gardner’s hand is outstretched indicating a penalty, which is awarded soon after. Sanchez will kick for goal from 50m, but even if he misses it will rob the clock of precious seconds.
75 mins: New Zealand come yet again through Sotutu and Ioane, pummelling the Pumas defensive line on the 22. But after some early gains everything becomes a little samey and stodgy and the penalty advantage is cashed in. The tap and go sets the All Blacks back in motion, but it’s more of the same, burrowing down the middle and Argentina have dealt with that all day, and they do so again, boy do they! Matera winning clean turnover ball! Oh my. That was huge!
73 mins: The scrum just to the right of the posts is textbook and the All Blacks have McKenzie in acres of space on the right wing and Sotutu tries the double cutout pass to find him - but it’s a fraction in front of the winger and the ball dribbles into touch. Such small margins, but they’ve gone against New Zealand all day.
72 mins: The lineout is secure and the All Blacks head from left to right, and this time there’s quick ball with regular small gain line incursions. From the right edge direction shifts left and McKenzie looks to have a gap to dash through, but it’s closed, and then there’s a penalty and play returns back for a scrum inside Argentina’s 22.
New Zealand have really turned up the heat in the past 10-15 minutes, but Argentina have stood up to it so far.
71 mins: New Zealand draw breath and launch again from deep, but once again they only reach halfway before the resolute Argentina line holds firm. This time there’s a rare penalty at the breakdown allowing the All Blacks to kick to 22 for the lineout.
70 mins: The All Blacks are now full of intent, running with purpose and hitting the gain line hard. Argentina’s defence continues to impress though, especially in close, where they refuse to take a backward step. They slow the phases down, preventing quick ball out wide and after 10 phases New Zealand are back where they behan, ploughing the Bankwest Stadium turf 30m out in centrefield. Eventually there’s an attempted kick down the right wing but it’s charged down, Argentina regather and clear their lines.
68 mins: Argentina are happy to execute a slow secure scrum and box kick to touch near halfway.
67 mins: The scrum is good for New Zealand and off the back they gain 20m from Sotutu. The clearout is quick and there’s space on the left if the All Blacks can get it through hands - and they almost do - but Ioane spends it before he claims it and there’s a cheap knock-on and all the oxygen escapes. Argentina are digging in for their lives but they are being aided by some sloppy ill disciplined rugby from the All Blacks.
65 mins: Ian Foster is emptying his bench in pursuit of fresh legs to find a late comeback. Meanwhile the clock continues to tick down as the scrum is set and reset with little hurry.
62 mins: Here comes the pressure from the All Blacks, kicking to the corner and throwing the lineout - but it’s stolen! Again! This is wild. Argentina boot clear and they continue to prosper from New Zealand errors.
But the All Blacks are at full speed now, hitting back as swiftly as possible, turning the game into a frantic contest in midfield with passes thrown from all angles and loose balls bobbling all over the place.
A breathless minute or so of footy ends with a New Zealand scrum in centre field around 30m from Argentina’s line.
60 mins: Both teams go to the boot, Argentina conservatively, the All Blacks with purpose, but Carreras does magnificently to claim Beauden Barrett’s bomb and turn defence into attack. Brilliant from the fullback. There’s no quick ball at the breakdown so Los Pumas kick for territory again but New Zealand keep the ball alive and opt to run for a series but that Argentinian defence is to the fore once again.
Out of options on the right flank Smith executes a perfect box kick that drops just outside the 22 and the chase is blistering, squeezing the penalty.
Penalty! New Zealand 10-22 Argentina (Sanchez 58)
Sanchez takes his haul to 22 and the gap to the All Blacks grows to 12 with just over 20 minutes to play.
57 mins: Los Pumas secure lineout ball on halfway and after a long pause Cubelli box kicks to Clarke inside the 22 but the young winger’s clearing kick is poor and Argentina are gifted an attacking set piece. They go very deep with the throw and gain some momentum with a couple of quick phases but then they lose possession in some frantic midfield scragging. But the referee’s arm points in their favour for a Mo’unga offside.
55 mins: The worry beforehand was that Argentina would run out of legs in the final quarter. They have a handy lead, but is it enough?
TRY! New Zealand 10-19 Argentina (Cane 54)
The lineout after the kick to the 22 is secured and the maul results in a penalty. The All Blacks kick to the corner, the lineout goes short, and there is an almighty shove from Cane and Savea that sets up a rumbling steamroller of a maul that ends with the ball in the skipper’s hands touching down.
Mo’unga nails a perfect touchline conversion.
Game on!
52 mins: Argentina kick clear to play a territorial game and New Zealand run from deep, eventually inviting Clarke to accept contact, but the young winger is hit hard and thrown backwards. The All Blacks are desperate to keep the ball alive, but that desperation leads to an errant pass and a turnover. Los Pumas try to exploit the broken field but New Zealand scramble well in defence and Whitelock is patted on the back for forcing a turnover.
50 mins: An awkward kick from Mo’unga causes havoc in the Argentina defence but Carreras does well at ground level to rescue the situation and set up a platform for his side to clear. Los Pumas then win the lineout against the throw! What on earth is going on out there?
Penalty! New Zealand 3-19 Argentina (Sanchez 48)
From 40m out on a slight angle Sanchez extends Argentina’s advantage, and it does not flatter them! New Zealand have half an hour to rescue this.
47 mins: Argentina kick clear then nail the short lineout, gathering momentum with the rolling maul until they earn the advantage, allowing them to head back infield through hands. They creep from halfway to the 22 through repeat phases of short offloads and strong runners hitting the edge of tacklers and rolling to earn marginal gains. After an age the whistle blows for the earlier infringement and Sanchez has a chance to extend the lead.
45 mins: To add insult to injury Argentina then win a scrum penalty against Joe Moody. New Zealand are being systematically defused.
44 mins: Can this be the launchpad for the comeback? No! Goodness me. A straightforward set-play off the lineout is not timed accurately and Jordie Barrett fumbles the inside ball. so uncharacteristic from New Zealand today.
42 mins: Argentina accept the kick-off and are happy to grind their way for a couple of slow phases in their own 22 before a huge box kick from Cubelli sends them to halfway. The All Blacks attack with purpose from the lineout but after an early punch over the gain line Argentina send them sideways and by the time it recahes the left wing there’s a turnover against Tuipulotu. Los Pumas try to run in broken field but New Zealand regroup and soon earn a penalty of their own that they boot to Argentina’s 22.
Teams are out for the second half. Can the All Blacks up their game?
What a half by the Argentinians!
— Christian Davies (@Christi58198460) November 14, 2020
What a half indeed. Practically flawless in defence and enterprising in attack they’ve matched the All Blacks for intensity and industry and beaten them for discipline. You’d never guess they hadn’t played together for over a year!
Now, do they have the stamina to run out the full 80 minutes?
Half-time: New Zealand 3-16 Argentina
What a superb half of rugby for Argentina. They take their biggest half-time lead ever against the All Blacks, and they deserve it. Some serious questions for New Zealand to answer in the next 40 minutes to avoid a major embarrassment.
40 mins: Oh my. A simple kick to the corner to set up an attacking lineout misses its mark! That is a shocking error from Mo’unga, kicking dead in goal instead of across the sideline. Wow. This has been a half to forget for Ian Foster.
39 mins: It’s a messy scrum for the All Blacks with Argentina shoving powerfully after contact, but there’s a penalty against Kremer and another break in play.
38 mins: Eventually the scrum feed takes place, kicks are exchanged and the clock is back to ticking impatiently ahead of an Argentina lineout 10m inside their own half. But it’s scruffy, a rare error from Los Pumas, and the All Blacks have a scrum that they must take advantage of.
36 mins: Clarke almost secures the short restart kick but he knocks on, which means Argentina can take their time setting a scrum just inside their own half. The clock continues to tick over as the scrum is reset on two further occasions with the battle between Lomax and Chaparro heavily scrutinised.
Penalty! New Zealand 3-16 Argentina (Sanchez 33)
Despite the territory and momentum, Argentina cannot decline the three points on offer and Sanchez obliges.
33 mins: Argentina build again with a solid 10m scrum that has plenty of momentum until Cane concedes a ragged professional foul at the breakdown. It is all Los Pumas so far!
31 mins: Argentina don’t find touch off the boot courtesy of some superb work from Jordie Barrett. He kicks to halfway but Argentina elect to run, and boy do they run! Cubelli spots a gap and the scrum-half eats up the turf, streaking towards the 22. He looks on his outside for Bruni who feeds Imhoff close to the line but somehow Smith does enough to wrestle him down just short. Los Pumas then launch a series of short pick and drives that look destined to pay off until Mo’unga finally holds up an incursion over the line.
29 mins: New Zealand again try to respond immediately with plenty of industry, but Argentina are only pushed back a smidgen inside their own half before they force the turnover at the breakdown. That precedes a kicking exchange that favours New Zealand with Jordie Barrett nailing a wicked reverse torp that isn’t claimed on the full. Can the All Blacks take advantage of the territory? No. Despite a series of quick phases there’s a penalty against Lienert-Brown for playing off his feet.
This is not going according to script so far for a full strength New Zealand outfit.
Penalty! New Zealand 3-13 Argentina (Sanchez 26)
No sooner has play restarted than Argentina are awarded another penalty! The bomb to halfway is claimed by Carreras and the fullback is then cleaned up by Jordie Barrett, but replays show it was very soft with minimal contact, but the infringement was for the All Black not using his hands.
Sanchez makes no mistake this time, from 40m on a slight angle.
24 mins: Sanchez misses the long range penalty.
23 mins: The All Blacks try to thunder their way back into the contest through Clarke, but this Argentina defence will not be moved and Tuipulotu loses possession in contact. Los Pumas keep things tight in midfield for five phases, grinding down the clock, then they concede a penalty for not entering the ruck correctly, but it’s instantly reversed by Gardner for Coles slapping out at the nearest hooped jersey.
TRY! New Zealand 3-10 Argentina (Sanchez 19)
20 mins: The lineout is textboook and Los Pumas feed off the back with a couple of attractive combinations that look pretty but get them nowhere. The clearout is sharp though and Argentina get into double figures for phases in the blink of an eye with some nippy football. Eventually there’s a penalty advantage and Sanchez siezes the opportunity, shaping to pass left then dabbing a delicate left-footed kick over the defensive line that bounces awkwardly for the All Blacks and after Mo’unga is wrongfooted Sanchez is Johnny on the spot to collect his own ball and dive under the posts. Incredible scenes.
Sanchez, who can’t stop scoring against New Zealand, adds two more points off the tee.
18 mins: Argentina haven’t had much time in possession but they enjoy a couple of phases just inside their own half and continue sniping on the short side, the right, with Cubelli directing traffic. They earn a ruck infringement against Savea while allows them to kick to the NZ 22.
15 mins: Smith is trying his best to dictate terms, keeping the ball moving as quickly as possible, and it eventually pays dividends, earning an offside penalty against Argentina on halfway. The long kick sets up a quick lineout and the All Blacks begin to mount an attack sliding from right to left, but as it builds a head of steam Montoya does superbly to lay the tackle on Jordie Barrett, stay on his feet, and secure the turnover penalty. Superb defence.
13 mins: Mo’unga and Sanchez exchange kicks before the All Blacks build just inside their own half. But it’s slow ball once again with Argentina’s defence resolute. After five stationary phases Smith box kicks and Clarke takes it impressively on the burst but they can’t generate any go-forward and a further kick is straight to Sanchez who marks, takes a breath, and clears his lines.
Penalty! New Zealand 3-3 Argentina (Mo'unga 11)
New Zealand are back level, but they already know they are in for a tough afternoon against a committed Argentina outfit.
11 mins: This lineout is secured and distributed much quicker and New Zealand get to work in centrefield. Again Argentina keep laying the hits and pushing the All Blacks behind the gain line. But there’s a soft penalty for an errant hand in the ruck and Mo’unga has a penalty chance 20m with little angle to worry about.
9 mins: The lineout was straightforward but the All Blacks forwards can’t gain momentum in the maul and it takes an age for Smith to feed the ball out to his backs. They shift from right to left but Argentina are up out of the line quickly, pushing their opponents backwards. The whistle blows for a forward pass, but there was an earlier infringement and Smith kicks to the corner for another set piece.
7 mins: The All Blacks win good lineout ball allowing Mo’unga to crash the line with momentum. That sets up repeat phases of play just inside Argentina’s half but it’s all very flat and linear. Eventually Beauden Barrett launches the garryowen that is right into the sun and landing on the 22 that Argentina fail to deal with securely and New Zealand have a lineout 10m from the line.
Penalty! New Zealand 0-3 Argentina (Sanchez 5)
That is a superb strike from the five-eighth, Sanchez drilling Los Pumas into an early lead.
5 mins: Beauden Barrett runs the ball towards the Argentina line at pace to set up a few phases in midfield but the breakdowns become continually slower until Los Pumas are awarded a penalty. Then there’s a little spotfire with Frizell and Matera in the middle of it. It’s just handbags, but it shows how up for it Argentina are in these early exchanges, refusing to take a step back against their more fancied opponents.
Sanchez will kick for goal, 50m out bang in front.
4 mins: Argentina secure the lineout and run a nice combination off the back that beings debutant Chocobares into the action. Savea does his best to stem the momentum but Argentina continue to attack with purpose. And then out of nowhere, Sanchez finds himself free in the pocket 30m out and attempts the drop-goal but a dashing Smith gets his fingertips to the charge-down and deflects the ball wide.
2 mins: Caleb Clarke takes the first run of the evening but Argentina’s defensive line is strong and slow ball forces an early Barrett kick. Los Pumas run the ball back and keep it alive on the short side until they earn a penalty on halfway. Enterprising start for the South Americans.
Kick-off!
Angus Gardner blows his whistle and Argentina get us underway...
The traditional Australian Welcome to Country precedes the national anthems of Argentina and New Zealand.
The wide shots of the players with arms draped over each other’s shoulders reveals a crowd of a few thousand, mainly Kiwis, dotted around a sun-drenched stadium.
The teams are out in the Sydney sunshine, NZ top to toe in their familiar black uniform, Argentina in their beautiful collared eggshell blue and white hooped jersey, white shorts and hooped socks. It’s a very pleasing combination of kits.
New Zealand has a long tradition of producing sporting siblings, but the Barrett bros could prove to be the best of the bunch.
The Barrett brothers achieved this milestone when Jordie brought up 💯 test points for the All Blacks in last weekend's match in Brisbane. pic.twitter.com/fMrgYqozo3
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 11, 2020
It’s warm and sunny in western Sydney this afternoon with temperatures in the high 20s under cloudless skies. There will be the occasional breath of wind from the east, but nothing too significant.
This match is taking place at Bankwest Stadium (formerly Parramatta Stadium). For anyone tuning in unfamiliar with the venue it is a beautiful boutique 30,000 capacity rectangular arena, designed in the manner of a European football ground and perfect for rugby.
🗣 Sideline conditions with Brad Mooar #NZLvARG pic.twitter.com/CgxjO8FKLZ
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 14, 2020
Argentina XXIII
Considering the battle Los Pumas have faced simply reaching the starting line in Sydney, they arrive with a solid looking 22. The problem for Mario Ledesma is it has been over a year since Argentina’s last international fixture, and eight months since the Jaguares turned out in Super Rugby, so there’s bound to be some ring rust.
Three debutants have been handed a baptism of fire, but only centre Santiago Chocobares is in the starting side with Santiago Grondona and Lucio Cinti entering from the bench.
Ledesma can rely on 30-somethings Tomás Cubelli and Nicolás Sánchez to provide quality and experience in the 9 and 10 jerseys, while the typically formidable pack features five players with at least 50 caps, including Guido Petti, the lock who won the most lineouts in last year’s Rugby Championship.
Ledesma is keen to hit the ground running but is aware match practice deficit compared to the Bledisloe-hardened All Blacks. “New Zealand and Australia have had friction and intensity, we have already seen that in Super Rugby and the first games of the Tri Nations,” he said. “We would have preferred to play more games during our preparation but that’s what we had to do and we will not make excuses. We are capable of running ball back at opponents, it is a strength of this team and of Argentine rugby generally. The three players at the back are specialists in aerial play.”
1.Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2.Julián Montoya, 3.Francisco Gómez Kodela, 4.Guido Petti, 5.Matías Alemanno, 6.Pablo Matera (c), 7.Marcos Kremer, 8.Rodrigo Bruni; 9.Tomás Cubelli, 10.Nicolás Sánchez, 11.Juan Imhoff, 12.Santiago Chocobares, 13.Matías Orlando, 14.Bautista Delguy, 15.Santiago Carreras.
Bench: 16.Facundo Bosch, 17.Mayco Vivas, 18.Santiago Medrano, 19.Santiago Grondona, 20.Tomás Lezana, 21.Gonzalo Bertranou, 22.Lucio Cinti, 23.Santiago Cordero.
New Zealand XXIII
Ian Foster paid the price for tinkering with his line-up last time out against the Wallabies so he’s reverted back to a full-strength XV against the Pumas. Only four of the run-on side have fewer than 20 caps, a quartet that includes star in the making Caleb Clarke, arguably the most exciting prospect in world rugby. This is the same backline that carved open Australia in Sydney at fortnight ago, and if they gel again tonight Argentina’s undercooked midfield will be in for a torrid time.
“We were bitterly disappointed with the loss against Australia on the weekend, but we’ve taken a lot of lessons from that game,” Foster said. “Specifically, we need to be smarter in seeing space and executing our plan around that. We also want to continue growing our work at the breakdown, both on attack and in defence, as I feel we are making great progress here.”
1. Joe Moody, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Jordie Barrett, 15. Beauden Barrett.
Bench: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Damian McKenzie.
Updated
This is the All Blacks’ first shot at redemption since being stung by the Wallabies in the final contest of the Bledisloe Cup series.
After succumbing to Australia last time out Ian Foster is taking nothing for granted against Argentina.
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of New Zealand v Argentina on matchday three of the 2020 Tri-Nations series. Kick-off at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney is at 5.10pm local time (7.10pm NZDT).
The All Blacks against Los Pumas in Australia has an unfamiliar ring to it, as does the Tri-Nations series, but that is our lot in these pandemic disrupted times. Considering how close we have come to no international rugby at all we should probably be thankful for what is on offer.
Plenty of those thanks need to go to Argentina who have undergone four weeks of quarantine (two in Uruguay, two in Australia) in order to join the competition. Their squad and preparation has been impacted by Covid-19 so we may not see the best of the South Americans on this trip, especially today as they reacquaint themselves with international rugby after a 13-month hiatus.
During their month in New South Wales Argentina have played two scratch matches against Australia A calibre opposition, winning both. Their acclimatisation has been aided by former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who has been around the group as a coaching consultant. “He came in really humble and has helped us a lot,” head coach Mario Ledesma said. “Just being himself, being creative and he has a lot of experience playing against New Zealand too.”
Even with Cheika’s intel Argentina remain longshots to upset the All Blacks. In 29 previous encounters between the two nations the best the Pumas have achieved is a solitary draw. However, a smattering of recent contests have been nip and tuck, including last time out, in July 2019, when New Zealand prevailed by just four points.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster will expect a bigger margin today, in part as a response to the criticism his side has faced since falling to defeat against Australia last weekend. The outcome of that is a full-strength XV to take on Argentina with any thoughts of experimentation against perceived lesser lights ditched. The All Blacks with a point to prove must be among the most fearsome prospects in world sport.
I’ll be back in a short while with line-ups and whatnot. If you want to get in touch at any point, you can reach me on Twitter or email.
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