Match Centre: New Zealand 18-25 Argentina

New Zealand 18-25 Argentina, Christchurch

Argentina maintained their impressive form in the ongoing Rugby Championship campaign as they edged out New Zealand 25-18 in Christchurch on Saturday.

The result meant Argentina now have gone to the top of the table with 9 points while New Zealand are at third with five points. This was also first win for the Pumas over the All Blacks in New Zealand after previously defeating them in Gold Coast in 2020.

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster will now be under considerable pressure after losing two games in the competition apart from a home series defeat against Ireland.

Emiliano Boffelli started the proceedings for the visitors with an early 7th minute penalty goal but New Zealand responded back immediately with Samisoni Taukei'aho crossing the whitewash in the 11th minute but Richie Mo'unga missed out on the conversion.

New Zealand's indiscipline was punished as Boffelli kicked his second penalty goal in the 18th minute to make it 5-6 but around the half hour mark Caleb Clarke dotted down at the back of a line out and Mo'unga got his conversion right.

With the break approaching, Boffelli the lone try scorer for the visitors in the opening half slotted two more penalties as the teams completed the opening half with a 15-12 scoreline.

A second Mo'unga penalty in the 46th minute extended New Zealand's lead to six points but Juan Martin Gonzalez collected a loose ball to cross the whitewash and a successful conversion from Boffelli ensured they had a 18-19 lead.

Another penalty was conceded in the 57th minute and Boffelli landed another goal to give Argentina a 22-18 lead as New Zealand had no answers Boffelli slotted another three-pointer to complete an incredible victory.

Team line up:

New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Reserves: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 George Bower, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Stephen Perofeta, 23 Quinn Tupaea.

Argentina: 15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Emiliano Boffelli, 13 Matias Moroni, 12 Matias Orlando, 11 Lucio Cinti, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Joel Sclavi, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Thomas Gallo.

Reserves: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Eduardo Bello, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Santiago Grondona, 21 Tomas Cubelli, 22 Tomas Albornoz, 23 Santiago Cordero.