NEW ZEALAND 18-25 ARGENTINA
For only the second time in 34 games against New Zealand, Argentina have recorded a Test win. Michael Cheika has Los Pumas top of The Rugby Championship standings after a sensational win in Christchurch.
The All Blacks led their visitors at half-time after tries from Caleb Clarke and hooker Samison Taukei’aho, but Argentina roared back in the second half. Juan Martin Gonzalez bagged a try and winger Emiliano Boffelli kicked 20 points from the tee to give Cheika’s side their first ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand.
Following the seismic result, which heaps further pressure on New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, former ABs scrumhalf Justin Marshall said the Argentina victory was ‘well deserved’ as he lamented the hosts’ lack of discipline and the chances they spurned in the second half.
Scenes in Christchurch as Los Pumas beat the All Blacks 🇦🇷🙌 pic.twitter.com/5MI9H7RcU2
— House of Rugby (@HouseOfRugby) August 27, 2022
Kiwi’s historic disrespect of Michael Cheika
Argentina are now led by former Leinster and Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika. The Aussie won three of his 14 Tests against the Kiwis when he was coach of the Wallabies, before he became assistant coach to Mario Ledesma in Argentina.
He was part of the coaching unit when Argentina beat New Zealand on neutral ground, in Australia, two years ago. Now head coach of Los Pumas, this is one of the greatest wins in his career.
All this coming six years after one media outlet in New Zealand depicted Cheika and his Wallabies team as clowns.
New Zealand, Saturday 22/10/2016. pic.twitter.com/Hdat5lbjje
— Andy Rowe (@AndyRoweOnline) August 27, 2022
Michael Cheika’s pre-match speech to Argentina
Ahead of the game in Christchurch, Michael Cheika told reporters, “I really enjoy the attitude of these guys and their attitude towards playing rugby for their country. We want to bring that out and show that on match days.
“We face a situation where we need to change history. We haven’t won here. I want to be part of the coaching staff that beats New Zealand for the first time in New Zealand. The opportunity is there.”
Following Argentina’s second ever Test win over the All Blacks, back-row Pablo Matera told Sky Sports NZ what Cheika had said to the team before the game, and again at half-time:
“He talked about intensity, the whole week. He talked about us wanting to win it more than the All Blacks and showing our intensity. We did that today, all through the game. Look at this, it’s crazy!”
Matera then waded into the travelling Argentina fans, microphone in hand, as he sang the team’s victory song on a night to remember.
Ahead of that match, Australia beat South Africa 25-17 after two Fraser McReight tries and a score from Marika Koroibete.
