Argentina claimed one of the biggest upsets in Test rugby history when they stunned New Zealand 25-15 in the Tri-Nations on Saturday, beating the three-times world champions for the first time in 30 attempts going back 35 years.
An inspired Nicolas Sanchez scored all of Argentina’s points in Sydney with a try, six penalties and a conversion, as the Pumas held off a fierce late onslaught from the All Blacks to secure a famous victory in their first Test for more than a year.
Captain Sam Cane and wing Caleb Clarke replied with tries for the Kiwis, with Richie Mo’unga converting one and adding a penalty.
But the Kiwis were met by a Pumas side that was in their faces and outplayed them with passion, showing great heart on defence to make 152 tackles in comparison to the 105 made by the All Blacks.
The defeat was NZ’s second in as many matches after also losing 24-22 to Australia last weekend.
Coach Ian Foster, who has only won two of the five matches in charge of the team, says: “You can tell by my body language that I’m not excited by it [the result]...
“There’s no excuses, it’s an All Blacks jersey and we have to do our best every time. But there certainly was a contrast in the intensity of the two teams.
“We don’t like having another team play with more intensity than us so we’ve got to figure out how to respond.”
The New Zealand media, though, has seen enough of Foster and wants him out.
Writing for the New Zealand Herald, columnist Chris Rattue wrote: “The first and most obvious thing to say is… Ian Foster must go.”
Gregor Paul in the same newspaper says the team has been reduced to a “shambolic, unimaginative, uninspiring body of players.”
The Herald’s Liam Napier adds: “For a team with lofty expectations such as the All Blacks, it’s completely unacceptable.”