12 January, 2026, 12:49 pm Central - 26°C Rain

All Blacks channel defeat 'hurt' as Pumas hunt for Eden Park breakthrough

All Blacks channel defeat 'hurt' as Pumas hunt for Eden Park breakthrough

By Alipate Narawa
17/08/2024
Photo:Rugby Australia

Ahead of their second Test tonight All Blacks captain Ardie Savea says his New Zealand team has spent the week "looking in the mirror" as they chase revenge against Argentina in The Rugby Championship.

Victory over the Pumas tonight will reverse last week's shock 38-30 defeat in Wellington and chalk up a 50th win for the All Blacks at Auckland's Eden Park since New Zealand last lost there in 1994.

Savea batted away questions about the 30-year unbeaten run, saying distractions played a part in their defeat last week, only their third loss to the Pumas in 38 meetings.

Savea says an All Blacks team does well when they are clear, physical, and light in the minds.

With wet weather forecast for the match, Savea said much of their focus this week had been on playing at the right end of the field, something they struggled to achieve against the ferocious Pumas defence.

Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi acknowledged New Zealand's 30 years of dominance at Eden Park and said his players would need to be mentally strong to overcome it.

Both of the Pumas' previous wins over the All Blacks in Sydney in 2020 and in Christchurch two years ago were followed by heavy defeats to the motivated New Zealanders.

Contepomi says it is important how they reply, because the previous two occasions, the All Blacks were far the better team.

Source: rugby.com.au

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
COMPOL meets with Army Commander
Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu met with the Army Commander, Major General Jone Kalouniwai this morning.The meeting focused on where the Republic...
47 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Tabuya urges BYU students to return and help build Fiji’s future
Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya says Fiji urgently needs skilled graduates to help address rising social challenges, including increasing HIV ...
10 minutes ago

Ailava Samuels to represent Fiji in Miss Pacific Pageant
Miss Fiji 2025 first runner-up and Miss Nasinu, Ailava Samuels, has been officially appointed as Fiji’s representative to next month's Miss ...
15 minutes ago

Fiji Airways bans use of power banks onboard from Monday
Passengers will no longer be able to use their portable power banks on Fiji Airways and Fiji Link flights from Monday to manage potential risks ...
19 minutes ago

Man who allegedly stole pensioner's ATM card further remanded
The man who allegedly stole a pensioner's ATM card last Monday has been further remanded in custody.Niraj Prasad has been told to file a formal bail ...
55 minutes ago

83rd Golden Globe Awards kick Off “Golden Week” with Nikki Glaser returning as host
Five years after a Times investigation dulled the shine of the glitzy Hollywood affair, the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, will cap off a multi-day ...
1 hour ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
10 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
21 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
21 days ago

TOP