Argentina Stuns New Zealand with Historic Win in Rugby Championship Opener

In a stunning upset, Argentina defeated New Zealand 38-30 in Wellington to kick off the 2024 Rugby Championship with a significant victory. The result marks only the third time Argentina has beaten the All Blacks, following their previous wins in Sydney in 2020 and Christchurch in 2022. It also represents the highest points total conceded by New Zealand on home soil.

Veteran hooker Agustin Creevy, aged 39, was pivotal in securing the victory, crossing the try line with just 10 minutes remaining to give Argentina a crucial five-point lead. Santiago Carreras sealed the win with a late penalty, capping a remarkable performance from the Pumas.

The All Blacks began the match with a positive start. Damian McKenzie, making a notable impact, opened the scoring with an early penalty and then set up lock Sam Darry for a try on his Test debut with an impressive chip-and-chase.

Argentina responded strongly with a try from centre Lucio Cinti. Despite McKenzie’s continued influence, including setting up centre Anton Lienert-Brown for a try, the Pumas maintained their momentum throughout the game.

Argentina’s victory is a significant boost for the team under the leadership of coach Michael Cheika, highlighting their potential in the ongoing Rugby Championship. For New Zealand, the defeat represents a challenging start to their title defence under new coach Scott Robertson, who now faces the task of rallying his squad for the upcoming fixtures.