Argentina Stun All Blacks for First-Ever Win Over New Zealand
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Stroll takes maiden pole in Turkey to upstage title-chasing Hamilton SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020 PAGE 14 Argentina stun All Blacks for first-ever win over New Zealand AFP SYDNEY A gutsy Argentina stunned the All Blacks 25-15 Saturday to pull off one of rugby’s biggest upsets, consigning an embar- rassed New Zealand to their firstback-to-back defeats in almost a decade. Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez scored all the Pumas’ points to hand them their maiden victory over the rugby pow- erhouse in the 30 Tests they have played. Mario Ledesma’s side were given virtually no chance ahead of the Tri Nations match in Sydney after the coronavi- rus hindered their prepara- tions to just two low-key prac- tice games. It’s surreal what happened, not just the result but playing, getting on the field after everything that has happened this year. Argentina coach Mario Ledesma. But in their first Test since the World Cup last year, they pulled off a miracle. “It’s surreal what hap- pened, not just the result but playing, getting on the field after everything that has hap- pened this year,” said Argen- tina coach Ledesma. “Some of the boys haven’t seen their families for four months but they have all been positive... they have been awesome. “I think we will remember Argentina’s players celebrate victory with their fans at the end of 2020 Tri-Nations rugby match against New Zealand at Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. (AFP) this for a long time, not only the game but because of the their country which has gone points on the board in the fifth ill-discipline handed them an- special situation,” he added. through a heck of a hard time. minute with Sanchez nailing a other penalty which the laser- It was a humiliating defeat “I want to congratulate penalty from the half-way line like Sanchez again put over. for New Zealand who were them on the result, it is a bit of after some push and shove It sent them to the break shocked 24-22 by the Walla- an historic day for them.” instigated by New Zealand’s with a comfortable lead, leav- bies in Brisbane last week and Unlike Australia and New Shannon Frizell. ing New Zealand with a major have now lost back-to-back Zealand, Argentina did not It didn’t take long for Rich- task to save their blushes. Tests for the first time since have a Super Rugby competi- ie Mo’unga to level the scores That only got harder when 2011 when they crashed to tion to help them prepare. But but Argentina were playing the boot of the irrepressible South Africa and Australia. after months of quarantine, well, stringing together plenty Sanchez earned Argentina an- Coach Ian Foster axed 10 they were chomping at the of phases. other three points soon after players and named what many bit and took their frustrations Their pressure culminated the restart. regarded as the All Blacks’ best out on a sloppy All Blacks in a in dangerman Sanchez cross- With their reputation on run-on side after last week’s dominant first-half. ing for the first try of the game, the line, New Zealand finally game, but they were no match With New Zealand strug- getting on the end of his own woke up and skipper Sam for a Pumas team helped by gling to create chances with chip kick to touch down under Cane crashed over for their former Australian coach Mi- poor kicking, ill-discipline and the posts. opening try on 52 minutes chael Cheika. too many errors, they incredibly He converted to give his after a nicely worked rolling “Obviously from an All went to the break 16-3 in front. side an unlikely lead which maul from a lineout. Black view we are bitterly dis- New Zealand staged a sec- they stretched to 13-3 when Mo’unga converted only appointed with the result, with ond-half fightback, but with Sanchez drilled another pen- for Sanchez to move the Pumas the way we played,” said Foster. their eyes on a major upset, alty, with Jordie Barrett the back into a 12-point lead with “But what I think we saw Argentina grimly resisted in- offender. another successful penalty. was a team that despite the tense pressure to post their Only a try-saving tackle New Zealand began apply- disadvantage of not playing a best-ever result. from Aaron Smith prevented ing heavy pressure and Caleb lot of rugby ... they have come the Pumas going further in Clarke scored a late try, but the here with massive energy and Dangerman Sanchez Argentina’s Nicolas Sanchez (right) runs with the ball during the 2020 Tri-Nations rugby match against front after Tomas Cubelli Argentinian defence had done a desire to prove something to Argentina got the first New Zealand at the Bankwest Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. (AFP) broke free, but more All Blacks enough to ensure a famous win. Djokovic eyes record as Nadal seeks first ATP Finals crown AFP first staging of the event. surgery, is the most notable “But at the same time it phies has come on the surface. LONDON World number one Djoko- absentee after a global tennis doesn’t change what I hope “I think I am able to play a vic is in Group Tokyo along- season truncated by the Cov- to achieve in this tournament little bit better the last couple NOVAK Djokovic is bidding to side Daniil Medvedev, 2018 id-19 pandemic. and why I’m here. of years indoors than what I win the ATP Finals for a record- winner Alexander Zverev and Five-time champion Djok- “I really want to win every did at the beginning of my ca- equalling sixth time as Rafael Argentine debutant Diego ovic, who recently equalled single match that I get to play reer without a doubt but that’s Nadal chases the biggest title Schwartzman. Pete Sampras’s record of six and try to get my hands on the the numbers and I can’t say missing from his glittering re- Second-seed Nadal will year-end number one finishes, trophy and I want this trophy something different,” said the sume at London’s O2 Arena. compete against defending has lost just three matches this as much as anybody.” 34-year-old two-time finalist. The top eight available champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, season, with one of those his “I hope to change that players in the men’s rank- Dominic Thiem, and Andrey default at the US Open. Nadal drought this week.” ings – with Roger Federer Rublev, who is appearing for The Serbian, who has not Nadal, who pulverised Despite his lack of indoor absent – will compete at the the first time, in Group London. won the London event since Djokovic in the French Open fi- success, the shortened season end-of-season tournament, The four best-placed play- 2015, said he was looking to nal last month to pull level with could count in Nadal’s favour which starts on Sunday behind ers from the round-robin stage end his season on a high at the Federer on 20 Grand Slams, has – he has been forced to with- closed doors despite a corona- will progress to the semi-finals elite eight-man event. qualified for the ATP Finals for a draw from the ATP Finals six virus lockdown in England. of the event, taking place in “Coming into the tourna- record 16 consecutive years times previously. The two round-robin London for the final year be- ment and knowing that I have The Spanish world num- Last year’s winner Tsitsipas, groups have been named To- fore a move to Turin. clinched the year-end number ber two is well aware of his who beat Thiem in the final, Novak Djokovic is bidding to win the ATP Finals for a record-equalling kyo 1970 and London 2020 Six-time champion Feder- one releases some of the pres- shortcomings on indoor hard comes into the tournament after sixth time at O2 in London. (AFP) on the 50th anniversary of the er, recovering from knee sure, definitely,” he said. courts – only one of his 86 tro- early exits in Vienna and Paris. 14 Sunday, November 15, 2020 Sports Lance Stroll takes maiden pole to upstage title-chasing Hamilton AFP ISTANBUL Lewis makes light LANCE Stroll upstaged For- mula One’s title-chasing Lewis Hamilton on Saturday when of qualifying flop he grabbed the first pole posi- tion of his career at the Turk- ish Grand Prix, the Canadian AFP whatever reason, some people saying “it feels really good ISTANBUL can get their tyres going, but right now”. ultimately, we’re all struggling The 22-year-old Racing LEWIS Hamilton made light of out there. Point driver made the most of his and Mercedes first qualify- “I did the best I could and drying conditions on a treach- ing flop of the year on Saturday I didn’t really make any mis- erous track to end Mercedes’ after they had been upstaged takes so I’m generally happy. 13 race domination of qualify- by Racing Point’s Lance Stroll I did everything I could with ing this year. at the Turkish Grand Prix. what I had.” Stroll delivered a dazzling The defending six-time Asked by Sky Sports F1 if he fastest lap in one minute and champion, who bids to seal a was disappointed by his pace 47.765 seconds in the closing record-breaking seventh driv- and form, after the prolonged seconds to usurp his team- ers’ championship in Sunday’s red flag-interrupted session, mate Sergio Perez and then race, was sixth in qualifying, Hamilton retorted: “Have you resist a last surge from Red but two places ahead of his not been watching all week- Bull’s Max Verstappen.