Argentina Break NZ's 30 Year-Old Dominance

Argentina Break NZ's 30 Year-Old Dominance

History was made as Argentina claimed a 25-15 win over New Zealand in week 3 of the Tri Nations.

The sides traded early penalties before a superb little chip ahead into space from Nicolas Sanchez saw the ball ricochet off the shin of Rodrigo Bruni, with Sanchez scooping it up to dive over for the opening try miway through the first half.

Ill discipline began to creep in for the frustrated All Blacks, allowing the Argentines to keep the scoreboard ticking over, slotting a further two penalties to take a well deserved 16-3 lead into the break. New Zealand failed to find any rhythm in the opening forty, with Argentina controlling the tempo of the match. A penalty for Argentina eight minutes into the second half saw them increase their lead out 16 points.


The All Blacks needed a response and hit back five minutes later with a powerful maul seeing skipper Sam Cane dot down at the back of the drive for a try to get New Zealand back into the match trailing 19-10. Shortly after another penalty for Argentina saw them into a 22-10 lead heading into the final quarter of the match. New Zealand tried desperately to reduce the deficit but were kept out by some brilliant Argentinian defence which was absolutely outstanding throughout.

A long range Sanchez penalty with three minutes left on the clock sealed the deal, making it a three score ball game which not even the magic of the All Blacks would be able to overcome. New Zealand would score with time up on the clock as they shifted it left to Caleb Clarke who cut inside to power over, but the night belonged to an impressive Argentinian side who will go down in the history books with their first ever win over the All Blacks in the 30th match between the two sides.




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