Michael Cheika says beating the All Blacks on New Zealand soil outweighs defeating his former nation, but the international coach has warned Argentina to brace for the awaiting storm.
Two years after notching their first win against the All Blacks, Cheika’s Pumas created more history on Saturday evening by leading Argentina to their first victory over the three-time World Cup winners on New Zealand soil with a 25-18 win.
The win was straight out of the school of Cheika. The Pumas’ defence, with former NRL star turned coach David Kidwell the new defence coach, was unbelievable, their breakdown work was superb and the visitors took their chances and embraced the underdog tag.
Despite falling behind 12-5 late in the first half and 18-12 shortly after half-time, Los Pumas stayed in the fight and took an unlikely lead in the 49th minute when Emiliano Boffelli converted from out wide.
The fullback’s six penalties, four of which came in the first half, saw the visitors seal an incredible victory, where the South Americans were paying $14 to win.
Cheika, who has experienced the highs and lows of coaching having taken the Wallabies to the World Cup final in 2015 before leaving his post in 2019 after their horror campaign in Japan, said the victory was what sport was all about.
“I don’t want to sound corny but if that’s not what footy is about (I don’t know),” Cheika told Sky Sport.
“You’re with your mates, enjoying the game, the ups and the downs, those times, especially for some of these Argentinian boys, that’s historic for them. I want them to enjoy being in the team and getting around playing against teams like this.”
The win continued the Pumas’ strong form under Cheika, who took over from Mario Ledesma earlier in the year having been an assistant for the past two Rugby Championship campaigns.
They have now beaten Scotland in a home series 2-1, beaten the Wallabies by a record margin in San Juan and beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time.
It’s a first for me, I’ve never won a Test match in New Zealand,” the former Wallabies coach said.
Asked what was more special, beating the All Blacks in New Zealand or securing a win over the Wallabies, Cheika hinted the former but in typical fashion deflected the answer so as not to take credit for the success.
“It’s a first for me, I’ve never won a Test match in New Zealand,” the former Wallabies coach said.
“I don’t look at it like that. I look at it from our point of view and growing the team and, in particular, towards the World Cup.
“What’s going to be big now is getting ready for next week because I imagine they’re going to come back with every piece of artillery they have, and we’ve got to be able to work out a way to handle that and give something back.”
The win leaves the New Zealand Rugby back at square one.
Having backed All Blacks coach Ian Foster through to the World Cup, New Zealand Rugby would look silly to take any action on their man. But with every passing second the decision looks increasingly wrong, with Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson waiting in the wings.
Making the seven-point loss all the more embarrassing is that it occurred in Christchurch – Robertson’s home city and the place where the former All Blacks back-rower coaches.
Cheika said he thought the All Blacks would be vulnerable.
“We knew we had to bring intensity, we knew they had a bit of pressure on them so we have to try and build on that pressure and then see where the game lands and go from there,” he said.
