All Blacks Suffer First Loss in Argentina in 40 Years

The All Blacks faced a surprising setback in their Rugby Championship campaign, losing 29-23 to the Pumas in Buenos Aires. This defeat marks the first time in 40 years that New Zealand has lost a test match on Argentine soil. The impact of the loss is compounded by an injury to starting halfback Cortez Ratima, who left the field in the first half.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson commented on the match, highlighting how a series of factors contributed to the outcome. “Test footy’s tough,” he stated. “When you get three yellow cards… we didn’t get a lot of little things go our way.” This remark referred to yellow cards handed to players Will Jordan, Tupou Vaa’i, and Sevu Reece, which some may argue had a significant impact on the game’s flow.

Pumas Dominate Key Statistics

The Pumas showcased their prowess, executing a game plan that included effective kicks from Santiago Carreras and Gonzalo García. The All Blacks’ backfield, typically reliable, struggled to manage these contestable kicks. “There’s lots of little areas that I can talk about, but it is fundamentally how they got the domination of the game,” Robertson added.

Captain Scott Barrett pointed to a lack of possession as a crucial factor in their defeat. “With 40 percent territory and 40 percent ball, it’s hard to win a test match,” Barrett noted, acknowledging the quality of the Pumas. The statistics revealed that Argentina made 148 carries compared to New Zealand’s 84, and the Pumas achieved double the post-contact metres with six line breaks.

The All Blacks’ set-piece, often a cornerstone of their strategy, faltered at critical moments. Key lineouts were lost in the final 15 minutes, and Argentina’s scrum provided the foundation for García’s match-winning try.

Looking Ahead to South Africa

Despite the disappointment, Robertson aims to learn from the defeat. He stated, “We’ve got really high standards for ourselves. They’ve been set by other All Blacks teams, and we’ve got to reach them each week.” The All Blacks will be keen to regroup, particularly as they prepare for an upcoming clash against the world champions, South Africa.

Injury updates indicate that Ratima suffered a chest injury but was cleared to travel home with the team. The full extent of his injury will become clearer upon their return to New Zealand. Robertson acknowledged the need for tactical adjustments as they head into the next match, scheduled for September 6, 2023, at Eden Park, where the Springboks will look to become the first team to defeat the All Blacks at that venue since 1994.

As the All Blacks reflect on this unexpected loss, the focus now shifts to how they can reclaim their dominance on home soil against a formidable opponent.