Overview
- Replacement fly-half Santiago Carreras kicked three second-half penalties and scrum-half Gonzalo Garcia scored to secure Argentina’s landmark victory in Buenos Aires.
- New Zealand were shown three yellow cards, with Will Jordan and Tupou Vaa’i binned before halftime and Sevu Reece late, leaving the visitors down to 13 players at times.
- Despite the defeat, Damian McKenzie’s penalty after the siren earned a bonus point that keeps New Zealand atop the standings after two rounds.
- Argentina lost fly-half Tomas Albornoz early to a hand injury, while the All Blacks’ scrum-half stocks took a hit as Cortez Ratima departed injured, adding to the absences of Cam Roigard and Noah Hotham.
- All Blacks captain Scott Barrett acknowledged Argentina’s superiority as New Zealand turn to hosting South Africa at Eden Park on September 6, followed by Wellington a week later.