Argentina down All Blacks for first time in historic Tri-Nations upset

Inspired Argentina defeated the All Blacks for the first time in their history to blow the Tri-Nations title race wide open.

Led ferociously by flanker and captain Pablo Matera, the Pumas dominated in almost every facet to notch a deserved 25-15 victory at Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium.

Potent fly-half Nicolás Sánchez scored all 25 of the Pumas’ points from a try, a conversion and six penalties in a record-setting display from the electric No 10. It was the most points amassed in a Test between the two teams over a 30-match rivalry stretching to 1985.

While the All Blacks entered the game battled-hardened after four Bledisloe Cup stoushes with the Wallabies, the Pumas were playing their first Test in more than a year. But there were no signs of rust as they outclassed the three-time world champions all over the park, Matera mighty and Sánchez punishing the All Blacks for their ill-discipline.

Sánchez opened the scoring with a fourth-minute penalty before his New Zealand counterpart Richie Mo’unga replied to level the scores. But by the time Sánchez had bagged a brilliant chip-and-chase try and banged over three more penalties, the Pumas had established a 16-3 lead at the break.

Despite captain Sam Cane briefly reducing the deficit to nine points with the All Blacks’ first try in the 53rd minute, the Pumas were never going to be denied, converting their biggest half-time lead over New Zealand into a rousing win. Caleb Clarke crossed for a consolation try after the siren, but it was way too little too late.

“It’s a big game for Argentina rugby today,” said Matera. “There’s a lot of guys who have pulled this jersey on before us and this allowed us to get here. We’re used to [adversity], it’s always tough for Argentina. We just wanted to show our people that if you work hard, you get your rewards.”

Almost 10,000 fans flocked to western Sydney to witness the spirited South Americans’ famous first success against New Zealand, a result that reduced Pumas coach Mario Ledesma to tears. Former Wallabies coach and now Pumas assistant Michael Cheika was also a conspicuous presence alongside Ledesma in Argentina’s coaches’ box.

Michael Cheika celebrates after the famous win. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The stirring victory also consigned the All Blacks to back-to-back Test defeats for the first time since 2011 and sets up a thrilling climax to the competition.

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“It was very tough, full credit to Argentina, they came out with more intent than we did and they thoroughly deserved their victory tonight,” said Cane. “They just kept coming, a lot of errors from us.”

The winner of next Saturday night’s Wallabies versus Pumas clash in Newcastle will leapfrog the All Blacks and go top of the table, ensuring the new-look rugby championship goes down to the wire.