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'This is an abject failure for NZ rugby' - How Twitter reacted to Los Pumas seismic win over the All Blacks

Guido Petti of the Pumas and Matias Alemanni of the Pumas celebrate with team mates after winning the 2020 Tri-Nations rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Argentina Los Pumas (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Much of the Northern Hemisphere rugby world woke up this morning to the shock news that Los Pumas had beaten the All Blacks for the first time in their history.

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It was Argentina’s first test in more than a year – following on from the defeat of the US at the 2019 World Cup – but they made an electric start in Australia with Stade Francais flyhalf Sanchez dotting down in the 19th minute after collecting his own chip to dive under the posts.

A couple of penalties from Sanchez, together with a resolute Los Puma’s defence that repeatedly contained the All Blacks, and it started to seem like an upset could be in the offing.

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    A try apiece for captain Sam Cane and winger Caleb Clarke wasn’t enough for the All Blacks to claw the game back and Mario Ledesma’s men hung on a memorable victory at the Bankwest Stadium. Like Ireland’s first win over New Zealand in 2016 in Chicago, it marks a notable upward shift for Los Pumas, who can truly now sit at world rugby’s top table as genuine equals.

    The rugby community on Twitter went into overdrive, of course.

    Matera: “We’re used to this. Everything is hard in Argentina…we want to show people that if you fight and you work hard, you get what you fight for.”

    The ‘feels’ hitting the Argentina players was a sight to behold. Pumas head coach Mario Ledesma getting choked up with emotion at the final whistle, well, had everybody getting choked up:

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    Many questioned why the Springboks chose to not compete in this year’s Tri Nations, with the undercooked Pumas more than a match for the All Blacks. “Argentina’s performance today makes a mockery of the Springboks not wanting to travel for The Rugby Championship because they haven’t played since the world cup.”

    This video from Los Pumas detailing how they prepared for the game while in lockdown goes viral:

    The general mood was one of overwhelming joy for Los Pumas, combined with a good deal of hand wringing from All Blacks fans and New Zealand pundits.

    https://twitter.com/AndyGoode10/status/1327534736626098178

    https://twitter.com/bensmithrugby/status/1327527511429849089

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    2020 just keeps on giving.

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    Comments on RugbyPass

    C
    Cantab 11 days ago
    Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

    Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

    4 Go to comments
    J
    James 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

    37 Go to comments
    d
    dw 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

    I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.


    Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

    37 Go to comments
    R
    RedWarriors 11 days ago
    'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

    I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

    Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

    Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

    Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

    91 Go to comments
    J
    JM 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

    Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

    I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

    Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

    I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

    37 Go to comments
    R
    RedWarriors 11 days ago
    'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

    He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

    Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

    4 Go to comments
    O
    OJohn 11 days ago
    Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

    Hooray

    0 Go to comments
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    Carlos 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    He was also a YC magnet.

    37 Go to comments
    C
    Carlos 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

    37 Go to comments
    S
    Solenn Bonnet 11 days ago
    Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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    0 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

    37 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

    37 Go to comments
    M
    Mzilikazi 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.


    Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

    37 Go to comments
    B
    BC 11 days ago
    Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

    I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

    1 Go to comments
    O
    Otagoman II 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    👍

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

    37 Go to comments
    N
    NB 11 days ago
    'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

    Hang on to Miz Carlos!

    37 Go to comments
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