Agustín Creevy reached for an expletive to describe a famous night in Wellington, and who could blame him? “F------ amazing,” was the 39-year-old’s summation of an absorbing victory for Argentina over the All Blacks, underpinned by his own try 12 minutes from time; a typically wily short-range effort to headline an influential cameo from the bench. The result, dealing Scott Robertson his first defeat as New Zealand coach, was the Pumas’ third win over these opponents in four years and a second since 2022, when they scrapped to a dogged triumph in Christchurch. This inspired display was founded on more determined defence, with captain Pablo Matera particularly destructive.
But it also featured some fantastic attack. Lucio Cinti, the Saracens centre, loped over in the first half before a sizzling solo finish from Mateo Carreras out wide. What a game this is! 💥 That footwork from Mateo Carreras for the try 🔥 — Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) Franco Molina and Creevy dotted down in the second period, with four penalty goals from Santiago Carreras proving enough to prevail.
Starting at fly-half, as he often does for his country, the Gloucester man kicked 18 points in total. New Zealand had stretched out to a 10-0 advantage, lock Sam Darry marking an impressive maiden Test start with a try. They led 20-8 five minutes before the break, too, when Anton Lienert-Brown pirouetted over and seemed likely to edge home when Mark Tele’a slipped through to make it.