Second successive shocker for men in black
If you thought last week’s loss to Australia was bad, the All Blacks have suffered a scarcely believable first-ever defeat to Argentina.
New Zealand’s historic 25-15 loss at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney marked the first time New Zealand dropped back-to-back tests since 2011 and also puts a big dent in their hopes of winning the Tri-Nations.
Here are Sunday News’ All Blacks player ratings from the stunning upset.
Beauden Barrett: Sent back to fullback but couldn’t impose himself. Finally got more involved, but wasn’t able to conjure anything to test the quality Pumas’ defence. 5
Jordie Barrett: Back on the wing but never got ball out wide. Copped an early knock. Harshly penalised for a ‘late’ hit on Carreras which Sanchez turned into three points. Bad knock on early in second half with big chance brewing, then subbed at 50th minute. 3
Anton Lienert
Brown: Off in
32nd minute for
HIA before returning, but was a second consecutive very quiet test. 3
Jack Goodhue: Some good physical carries on return, but was merely a battering ram against the blue and white wall. Off with 17 minutes to play. 4
Caleb Clarke: First try for the All Blacks will go down as a bittersweet one, as just a consolation in this historic loss. Plenty of good early touches. 5
Richie Mo’unga: Back in the driver’s seat but wasn’t able to steer the attack with enough variety or control. Couldn’t do much to stop first try when ball bounced off Bruni’s leg. Helped Whitelock hold up Matera over the tryline. Awful moment when kicking penalty dead in-goal right on halftime when golden opportunity presented. 5
Aaron Smith: Expected to respark things on return, but didn’t. Try-saving tackle on Imhoff to make up for letting Cubelli race past him moments earlier. Off at 63rd minute. 5
Ardie Savea: Finally found a mouthguard following midweek rebuke from Chris Lendrum butwas a far cry from his usually high energy and aggression and had no breakdown dominance. 4
Sam Cane: Did what he could among a rough cause. Several quality carries into contact. Scored team’s opening try in 53rd minute from smart quick lineout drive. 6
Shannon Frizell: Unable to stamp the physical mark expected on return to the side. Involved in a bit of the off-theball afters. Guilty of turning over possession at a couple of rucks. Subbed 10 minutes into second stanza. 3
Sam Whitelock: Helped Mo’unga in holding up Matera over the line. Poor offload turned possession over, then conceded the game-killing penalty at the lineout. 4
Patrick Tuipulotu: Good successful lineout challenge late in first half but coughed up the ball in contact on a couple of occasions. Off with 10 to play. 3
Tyrel Lomax: A first test start thanks to Ofa Tuungafasi’s suspension. Pinged at early secondhalf scrum. Led the team’s tackle count in his hour-stint. 5
Dane Coles: Pinged for a slap on the face of Bruni which saw ref Gardner reverse a penalty. Hit his lineout targets well, but nothing more. Subbed after 48 minutes. 3
Joe Moody: One of the only ones who could hold head high. First game back from concussion at Eden Park a month ago and put in an inspired 72 minutes. Made immediate impact with his very first tackle. 7
RESERVES
Codie Taylor: Introduced eight minutes into second half and first lineout throw was picked off, but his next led to the first try. 5
Alex Hodgman: Got eight minutes at the end. N/R
Nepo Laulala: First game since Bledisloe II after going on paternity leave. On in 58th minute. Carry and scrum was decent. 5
Tupou Vaa’i: On for final 10 minutes. N/R
Hoskins Sotutu: Injected some much-needed dynamism in his half-hour. 6
Brad Weber: On with 17 minutes left and had no option but to lift the tempo, then was another to catch the dropsies. 4
Rieko Ioane: On just after the half-hour for Lienert-Brown’s HIA, then permanently for Jordie Barrett on wing for final 30 minutes. Bad knock on with tryline looming with quarter of an hour left. 4 Damian McKenzie: On at 64th minute and made some dangerous snipes, but none that made any difference. 5