Match Report: Rugby Championship: Argentina 25-15 New Zealand

Argentina 25-15 New Zealand, Bankwest Stadium
Scorecard

Argentina registered their first-ever win over New Zealand as they defeated them 25-15 in their Rugby Championship encounter at Bankwest Stadium.

The win meant Argentina start the tournament with second position with four points while New Zealand continue to remain at the top with six points after three matches. Nicolas Sanchez kicked all 25 points for the Pumas in what would go down as one of their greatest victories.

Argentina started the proceedings early with a long-range penalty goal from Sanchez in the sixth minute before New Zealand levelled the scores with a 12th minute three-pointer from Richie Mo'unga.

Argentina seized the lead at the end of the first quarter after a chip kick from Sanchez into New Zealand's 22m line where Rodrigo Bruni gathered and sent the fly-half over the line. He also slotted the conversion to make the scoreline 10-3.

Mario Ledesma's men were the dominant in the opening half as back to back penalties from Sanchez meant they headed into the break with a 16-3 lead.

Sanchez with his fourth penalty goal in the 49th minute increased Argentina's lead further to 16 points before New Zealand finally responded with a try from Sam Cane that came at the back of a line out that Mo'unga improved making the scoreline 16-10.

Sanchez continued to keep Argentina in front with his fifth penalty goal that came in the 58th minute and an infringement from Sam Whitelock allowed the fly-half to kick another three-pointer to take the Pumas to a 25-10 lead before Caleb Clarke's try in the final minute helped New Zealand reduce their losing margin.

This is also New Zealand's second successive defeat in the last two games and will face Argentina again in their final game of the tournament on 28th November.

"This is a big day for Argentina rugby and also for our country and people," said Argentina captain Pablo Matera.

"It very tough there at the moment and it was tough for us to come here and prepare ourselves for this tournament.

"We just want to show our people that if you work hard with a lot of determination you can get things done.

"We are really proud of this team and of our country."

Teams line-up:

New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell; Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu; Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Joe Moody.

Reserves: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Brad Weber, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.

Argentina: Santiago Carreras; Bautista Delguy, Matias Orlando, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Imhoff; Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli; Rodrigo Bruni, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera (capt); Matias Alemanno, Guido Petti; Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya, Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo

Reserves: Facundo Bosch, Mayco Vivas, Santiago Medrano, Santiago Grondona, Tomas Lezana, Gonzalo Bertranou, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Cordero