The city of Buenos Aires erupted in joy on August 23, 2025, as Argentina’s national rugby team, the Pumas, clinched their first-ever home victory over New Zealand’s All Blacks, winning 29-23 in a dramatic Rugby Championship clash. This wasn’t just another test match—it was a seismic moment for Argentine rugby, a night when 49 years of frustration and near-misses were finally put to rest in front of a raucous home crowd.
For the Pumas, this historic triumph was as much about belief as it was about execution. "First of all we believe that we can win. We've believed that for a few years now," Argentina captain Julian Montoya declared in a post-match interview. "We came back from a tough loss last game and I think that we kept in the fight and we threw a few punches. We took a few punches as well but it's how that you come back from those errors. We're a good team and we do the things we say we're going to do."
Heading into this second Rugby Championship test, the All Blacks were riding high after a 41-24 victory in Cordoba the previous weekend—a win that had restored them to the top of the world rankings. But the Pumas, stung by that defeat, were determined to turn the tables on home soil. From the opening whistle, Argentina played with a ferocity and discipline that belied their underdog status, dominating both territory and possession in the early stages.
The first half was a tense affair, with the All Blacks drawing first blood through Billy Proctor, who finished off a sweeping move to notch his third test try. Just five minutes later, tighthead prop Fletcher Newell joined the scoring sheet, latching onto Ardie Savea’s pass to push New Zealand ahead 13-6. But momentum shifted abruptly when Will Jordan was yellow-carded in the 32nd minute for a cynical foul, leaving the visitors a man down. The Pumas seized the opportunity—Juan Martin González powered over for a try, and Juan Cruz Mallia’s conversion leveled the scores at 13 apiece.
New Zealand’s discipline woes only deepened as Tupou Vaa’i was sent to the sin bin moments later, forcing the All Blacks to finish the half with just 13 men. Argentina nearly capitalized again before halftime, but Bautista Delguy was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Beauden Barrett with the try line beckoning. The teams went into the break deadlocked at 13-13, but the momentum had clearly swung in the hosts’ favor.
Emerging from halftime, Argentina continued to press their advantage. Santiago Carreras, who came off the bench to play flyhalf, was ice-cold from the kicking tee. He slotted two penalties early in the second half—including a long-range effort from 50 meters—to nudge the Pumas ahead 19-13. The home crowd, sensing history in the making, roared their team on.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 59th minute. After a messy New Zealand lineout, Argentina’s forwards battered the All Blacks’ defensive line. Pablo Matera charged forward, and scrumhalf Gonzalo Garcia pounced on the loose ball to score his first test try. Carreras added the conversion, stretching Argentina’s lead to 26-13 and sending the stadium into delirium.
To their credit, the All Blacks refused to fold. Their bench injected fresh energy, and Samisoni Taukei'aho crashed over from a powerful lineout drive, narrowing the deficit to 26-20. But discipline continued to haunt the visitors—Sevu Reece was yellow-carded with eight minutes left, and Carreras coolly kicked his third penalty to restore a nine-point cushion with just six minutes remaining.
Argentina’s defense, so often their Achilles’ heel against the All Blacks, held firm in the closing stages. New Zealand pressed desperately, and Damian McKenzie’s last-minute penalty clawed the score back to 29-23, earning the visitors a losing bonus point. But it was too little, too late. The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the players and fans alike, many of whom had waited decades for this moment.
The match statistics told a story of Argentine dominance in key areas. The Pumas not only enjoyed the lion’s share of territory and possession, but they also won the crucial aerial battles and kept their composure when it mattered most. Santiago Chocobares was outstanding in midfield, constantly breaking the gain line and setting the tone for the hosts’ attack. The scrum, anchored by captain Julian Montoya, became a reliable launch pad for Argentine offensives.
For New Zealand, it was a night of frustration and soul-searching. Their back play was disjointed, and their discipline—three yellow cards, including two in the space of three minutes before halftime—undermined any chance of building sustained pressure. Questions now swirl around the All Blacks’ coaching and selections, with Beauden Barrett’s struggles at flyhalf and Scott Barrett’s ineffective leadership drawing particular scrutiny from pundits.
Despite the defeat, the All Blacks retained top spot in the Rugby Championship standings after two rounds, thanks to McKenzie’s late penalty. All four teams—Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia—now sit with one win and one loss apiece, setting up a tantalizing finish to the competition. Earlier on Saturday, South Africa edged Australia 30-22 to level the playing field even further.
The significance of Argentina’s victory cannot be overstated. This was only their third win ever over New Zealand, but the first to come on home soil. Since their inaugural meeting in 1976, the Pumas had endured 15 consecutive home defeats to the All Blacks. That streak is now over, and with it, a powerful psychological barrier has been shattered.
Looking ahead, the Rugby Championship is wide open. The Pumas, buoyed by this landmark win, will believe they can contend for the title. New Zealand, meanwhile, must regroup quickly and address their discipline and tactical issues if they are to maintain their position atop the standings.
As the dust settles in Buenos Aires, one thing is clear: Argentine rugby has taken a giant leap forward, and the echoes of this historic night will resonate for years to come.
