Rugby Championship: Argentina beat New Zealand for first time with shock 25-15 victory
Pre-Advanced Argentina beat New Zealand for the first time in their history with a 25-15 win in the Rugby Championship.
The match was Argentina’s first Test in 13 months, and their victory ensured the All Blacks suffered a second defeat in a row, after losing to Australia. The Pumas led 16-3 at the break and kept New Zealand at bay to secure a famous and shock win in Sydney.
“It was very tough there at the moment and it was tough for us to come here and prepare ourselves for this tournament. We are really proud of this team and of our country,” said Argentina captain Pablo Matera
Victory was Argentina’s first in 30 Test matches against the All Blacks.
New Zealand, who lost 24-22 to Australia last week in Brisbane, have been beaten in two consecutive Test matches for the first time since August 2011.
“They probably brought more intensity,” said All Blacks captain Sam Cane. “Their defence was outstanding.”We weren’t good enough, which is extremely disappointing but full credit to them.”
This is one of the most sensational results in recent rugby union history, especially when you consider how Argentina had not played a Test match since the Rugby World Cup 13 months ago.
They were expected to be thrashed by a battle-hardened New Zealand; remember world champions South Africa pulled out of the Rugby Championship citing a lack of match preparation time.
While it is a famous day for the Pumas and a huge result for world rugby, the All Blacks inquest will begin. They have now lost two in a row for the first time since 2011 and look a shadow of the all-conquering side they were under Steve Hansen.
Today's Vocabulary
1. ensured (v)
to make something certain to happen
2. tournament (n)
a competition for teams or single players in which a series of games is played, and the winners of each game play against each other until only one winner is left
3. match (n)
a sports competition or event in which two people or teams compete against each other
4. thrashed (v)
to hit a person or animal hard many times as a punishment
5. inquest (n)
an official process to discover the cause of someone’s death
6. conquering (v)
to take control or possession of foreign land, or a group of people, by force
QUESTIONS
- Who beats New Zealand for the first time in the history of rugby?
- Who is Sam Cane?
- Based on the article, how many months has Argentina not played a Test match?
- Who is Argentina captain?
DISCUSSION
- What’s your favourite Rugby team and why?
- Do you think playing sports helps people work better as a team at work?
- What do you think the top five most watched sports are in the world?
- What is the most popular sport in your country?
- How are sports beneficial to you?
