Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi says his side is shaping its own legacy after their 29-23 win over the All Blacks in Buenos Aires, a landmark performance that ended a four-decade wait for a home victory against New Zealand.
The Rugby Championship clash at Estadio Jose Amalfitani marked Argentina’s first win over the All Blacks on home soil in 40 years, and only their 16th overall attempt. Contepomi, a member of Argentina’s first World Cup semi-final side in 2007, said the victory belongs to the players and underscored the growing identity of Los Pumas. “This group has already set several milestones, beating the All Blacks away, and now doing it at home. It’s their success. Los Pumas 2025,” he said.
Argentina, who were World Cup semi-finalists in 2023, have now recorded home victories over every tier-one rugby nation, a feat Contepomi highlighted as being all the more meaningful because of the fans. “It’s a huge joy to do it here in front of our people. The affection of the fans is incredible. They’re part of this win,” he added. He credited the win to aggressive defence and capitalising on key moments, noting, “We were tidy and forced some offside penalties. We missed some chances in the first half, but in the end, what the lads did was incredible.”
Looking ahead, the Pumas now shift focus to back-to-back away tests against the Wallabies in Townsville and Sydney. In the broader Rugby Championship, all four teams—Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia—have one win each from two matches, keeping the early standings tightly bunched.
Context and analysis:
– The win follows a memorable performance earlier this year when Argentina mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat the Wallabies 67-27 in Santa Fe, overcoming a 17-point deficit and unleashing a late burst of 38 unanswered points that underscored the team’s attacking capacity. Mateo Carreras produced a signature moment in that sequence, with Pablo Matera and Julian Montoya also pivotal as Los Pumas found a late rhythm.
– Argentina’s improving discipline has also been noted this season. They have gone 12 test matches without a player being sent off or receiving a red card, while recording the fewest penalties of any Rugby Championship side, a reflection of the team’s emphasis on structure and clean play.
– The result reinforces Argentina’s upward trajectory in global rugby. With home wins over South Africa and Australia already on the resume this year, and now a historic victory against New Zealand, the team has built momentum that supporters view as part of a longer strategic arc toward competitiveness at the sport’s highest levels.
Summary:
Argentina pulled off a historic home victory over New Zealand, signaling a rising era for Los Pumas under Contepomi. The win, paired with their recent showing against Australia and a disciplined, organized approach, positions them as a growing force in world rugby as they prepare for another tough test against the Wallabies. This momentum bodes well for their ongoing goal of becoming consistently competitive against rugby’s traditional powerhouses.
Leave a comment