SHOCK DEFEATS FOR ALL BLACKS AND WALLABIES
South Africa stunned the All Blacks to secure their first victory in New Zealand since 2009 with a thrilling 36-34 win at the Westpac Stadium. The hosts were chasing their 40th successive win on home soil and almost snatched something at the death. They enjoyed a sustained period of pressure with possession just two metres short of the try line at the hooter, but South Africa’s determined defence paid off and an errant knock-on well into the 84th minute dashed All Black hopes. It was New Zealand’s first loss in the Rugby Championship since 2015, with South Africa’s 36 points the most scored against the All Blacks in a home Test. Aphiwe Dyantyi (twice), Willie Le Roux – sent to the sin-bin in the 66th minute – Malcolm Marx and Cheslin Kolbe all crossed for the Springboks, for whom Handre Pollard kicked a penalty and four conversions. Rieko Ioane scored twice for the All Blacks, with Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith, Codie Taylor and Ardie Savea also on the scoresheet but Beauden Barrett had a poor game with the boot, converting just two of his six shots at goa. Meanwhile, Argentina recorded their first Test win in Australia for 35 years with a 23-19 victory against the Wallabies on the Gold Coast. Nicolas Sanchez and Bautista Delguy scored converted tries before half-time and two longrange penalties from Emiliano Boffelli, plus one from Sanchez, secured Argentina’s long-awaited triumph. Will Genia, Israel Folau and Dane Haylett-Petty scored tries for the hosts who blew the chance to snatch victory in the last minute. Israel Folau was two metres from the try-line when he opted to run himself despite teammate Bernard Foley being free outside him and the ball dislodged from his grasp.