Recap: All Blacks suffer historic loss to Argentina in Rugby Championship
Sunday, 24 August 2025
The All Blacks face the Pumas in their second Rugby Championship match in Buenos Aires on Sunday morning (NZT).
Kickoff in Argentina’s capital city is at 9.10am. The match will be broadcast live on Sky, while Stuff will have live coverage from 8.45am.
Including last week’s Rugby Championship opener, the All Blacks have won 36 of the 40 tests between the teams.
As the saying goes, winning ugly isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
That was pretty much what the All Blacks did last weekend, when they made an ideal start to the Rugby Championship, albeit with a scratchy performance.
Their bonus point win over the Pumas was certainly not as dominant as the final score - 41-24 - indicated, despite them romping to a 31-10 halftime lead.
Of course, the All Blacks would gleefully take another five competition points in similar manner, but they would prefer to do it with some added polish.
Indeed, the lack of progress in the All Blacks’ attack is of concern, particularly the continued high error rate and lack of execution.
Head coach Scott Robertson acknowledged it after last week’s match, and it’s no doubt behind his decision to stick with the same back line for another week.
Just how they perform should impact selection with the Boks coming to New Zealand in a fortnight.
TEAMS
All Blacks: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Cortez Ratima, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Tupou Vaa'i, Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett (capt), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Josh Lord, Wallace Sititi, Finlay Christie, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie.
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Bautista Delguy, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Albornoz Tomas, Gonzalo Garcia, Joaquin Oviedo, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo, Franco Molina, Pedro Delgado, Julian Montoya (capt), Mayco Vivas. Reserves: Ignacio Ruiz, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Joel Sclavi, Guido Petti, Marcos Kremer, Simón Benítez Cruz, Santiago Carreras, Justo Piccardo.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistants: Pierre Brousset (France), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Foul play review official: Damon Murphy (Australia)
TAB ODDS
All Blacks $1.22 Argentina $4.20
HISTORY
Played 40, All Blacks 36 wins, Argentina 3 wins, 1 draw