All Blacks vs Argentina: second consecutive surprise for the men in black

OPINION: If you thought last week’s loss to Australia was bad, the All Blacks have suffered an unlikely first loss to Argentina.

New Zealand’s historic 25-15 defeat at Sydney’s Bankwest Stadium marked the first time New Zealand lost back-to-back events since 2011 and also takes a toll on their hopes of winning the Tri-Nations.

Are here Things All the ratings of the Blacks players from the surprising surprise.

Beauden Barrett: Sent back to fullback for this one, but he still couldn’t win. He eventually got involved more later, but couldn’t conjure anything to test the quality of Pumas’s defense. 5

Jordie Barrett: Back on the wing but never got the ball out wide. He copied an early punch that had him on his knees. Hard penalized for a ‘late’ hit on Carreras that Sánchez converted into three points. Bad shot early in the second half with a great chance, then substituted in the 50th minute. 3

Anton Lienert-Brown: He started in the 32nd minute for HIA before coming back, but it was a very quiet second consecutive test, with very limited participation. 3

Jack Goodhue: Some good physical hits on his return, but it was just a battering ram against the blue and white wall. Out with 17 minutes to play. 4

Caleb Clarke: The first attempt for the All Blacks will be bittersweet, as a consolation in this historic loss. Lots of good opening touches, but then not much play got in his way. 5

Richie Mo’unga: Back in the driver’s seat, but he couldn’t lead the attack with enough variety or control. Not much could be done to stop the first attempt when the ball bounced off Bruni’s leg. He helped Whitelock hold Matera over the test line. Terrible moment kicking a dead penalty on goal just at halftime when the golden opportunity presented itself. 4

Aaron Smith: He was expected to re-ignite things upon his return, but he didn’t. Try to save Imhoff to make up for letting Cubelli get over him moments before when he was appealing to referee Gardner. Shutdown at minute 63. 5

Ardie Savea: He finally found a mouth guard after Chris Lendrum’s reprimand in the middle of the week, but it was a far cry from his usually high energy and aggression and he didn’t have a breaking domain. 4

Sam Cane: He did what he could between a difficult cause. Several qualities bring in contact. Big fumble penalty won early in the second half. He scored the team’s first attempt in the 53rd minute from a smart fast forward. 6

Shannon Frizell: The expected physical mark cannot be sealed when returning to the side. Involved in a bit of the after-off-the-ball. Guilty of handing over possession in a couple of rucks. Subtitled 10 minutes into the second verse. 3

Sam Whitelock: He helped Mo’unga hold Matera over the line. The bad discharge changed possession, then awarded the game-killing penalty at the lineout. 4

Patrick Tuipulotu: Returning after an illness knocked him unconscious last weekend. Nice challenge on the lineout late in the first half, but he coughed up the ball on contact a couple of times. Out with 10 to play. 3

Tyrel Lomax: A first test outing thanks to the suspension of Ofa Tuungafasi. He punctured in the early scrum of the second half. He led the team’s tackle count on his hour-long shift. 5

Dane Coles: He called for a slap across the face from Bruni which saw referee Gardner reverse a penalty. He hits his targets well in the lineout, but nothing more. Uploaded after 48 minutes. 3

Joe Moody: One of the only people who could hold his head up. First game back from a concussion at Eden Park a month ago and lasted 72 inspired minutes. He made an immediate impact with his first tackle. Penalized in the first scrum that costs three points. Several great hard carries. 8

BOOKINGS

Codie Taylor: He entered eight minutes into the second half and the first shot of the lineout was intercepted, but the next led to the first attempt. 6

Alex Hodgman: I have eight minutes left. N / R

Grandson Laulala: First game since Bledisloe II after taking paternity leave. On in the 58th minute. Carry and scrum was decent. 5

Tupou Vai’i: On for the last 10 minutes. N / R

Hoskins Sotutu: Injected a much needed dynamism into his half hour. Excellent run from the back of an attacking scrum, but he threw a poor pass to another when a try was spotted. 7

Brad Weber: With 17 minutes remaining and he had no choice but to pick up the tempo, then it was another to catch dropsy. 4

Rieko Ioane: Just after the half hour for the Lienert-Brown HIA, then permanently for Jordie Barrett on the wing for the final 30 minutes. Bad call with the test line coming up with a quarter of an hour left. 4

Damian McKenzie: In the 64th minute and he made some dangerous shots, but none that could make a real difference. 5