Argentina stunned the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday for a first win for Los Pumas on New Zealand soil.
A goal-kicking masterclass from right wing Emiliano Boffelli, who scored 20 points on the night, and an heroic defensive performance from the visitors then overturned a 15-12 half-time deficit to triumph 25-18 and retain top spot in the Rugby Championship.
Boffelli made no mistake with his first strike at goal to give Argentina an early 3-0 lead, after All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga pulled a 40-metre penalty attempt away to the left of the uprights.
The hosts seized scoreboard advantage for the first time with an unconverted try after hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho finished off a well-executed lineout drive, but another Boffelli three-pointer pushed the visitors back in front at the close of the first quarter.
Mo’unga opened his account from the tee to regain the lead for the Kiwis after multiple phases got them deep into the Los Pumas 22, before an Argentina lineout overthrow on the halfway line was gathered and sent through the hands for left wing Caleb Clarke to finish in the corner. Mo’unga added the extras.
ICYMI – Wallabies continue Bok misery Down Under
Yet, ill-discipline of the hosts – who conceded eight penalties in the first half – had Boffelli punishing them with two more clean strikes over the crossbar to make it a three-point game at half time.
Mo’unga kicked the first points of the second stanza to give New Zealand what should’ve been the early momentum, but Los Pumas hit back from the restart with flank Juan Martin Gonzalez crossing the whitewash.
Boffelli nailed the conversion, and his fifth penalty, to give Argentina a four-point lead with 20 minutes left to play.
With their noses in front in the final quarter, Boffelli increased the visitors’ lead by three, and the All Blacks were down to 14 men until the final whistle when blindside flank Shannon Frizell saw yellow after one too many cynical infringements by the hosts.
The Argentinians then dug in on defence against wave after wave on attack from the desperate Kiwis to hold out for a memorable victory at the Orangetheory Stadium.
COLUMN: Stubborn Rassie stalls Boks
Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
