New Zealand and Argentina have met 41 times in test rugby since 1985, and for the first 35 years the All Blacks won every meeting that counted. Argentina finally broke through in 2020, and Los Pumas have now beaten New Zealand four times — most strikingly at home in Buenos Aires in August 2025, a first on Argentine soil.
This guide sets out the full record: the head-to-head split by venue, every Argentina win, the four Rugby World Cup meetings and when the two sides are due to play again. For a test-by-test look at every result since 2020, see our All Blacks vs Argentina results page.
Quick facts
| Tests played since 1985 | 41 |
|---|---|
| New Zealand wins v Argentina wins | 36–4, plus one draw |
| New Zealand’s biggest win | 93–8, in Wellington (1997) |
| Argentina’s first home win over the All Blacks | 29–23 in Buenos Aires (2025) |
Key points
- The teams have played 41 tests since 1985: 36 New Zealand wins, four Argentina wins and one draw.
- All four of Argentina’s wins have come from 2020 onwards, capped by their first home victory in 2025.
- New Zealand’s biggest win was 93–8 in Wellington in 1997.
- The sides have met four times at the Rugby World Cup, and New Zealand have won every one.
- There was no test in 2026; the Rugby Championship returns in 2027 before the World Cup in Australia.
The rivalry in eight key dates
- 26 October 1985: the first test, played in Buenos Aires and won 33–20 by New Zealand.
- 2 November 1985: a 21–21 draw a week later, still the only drawn test between the sides.
- 1987: the first World Cup meeting, a 46–15 New Zealand win in the pool stage in Wellington.
- 21 June 1997: New Zealand’s record 93–8 win in Wellington.
- 2012: Argentina join the expanded Rugby Championship, and the fixture becomes an annual one.
- 14 November 2020: Argentina’s first win, 25–15 in Sydney, at the 30th attempt.
- 27 August 2022: Argentina’s first win on New Zealand soil, 25–18 in Christchurch.
- 23 August 2025: Argentina’s first home win over the All Blacks, 29–23 in Buenos Aires.
Head-to-head record by venue
| Venue | Tests | New Zealand wins | Argentina wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In New Zealand | 19 | 17 | 2 | 0 |
| In Argentina | 16 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| Neutral venues | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 41 | 36 | 4 | 1 |
All Blacks v Argentina test record, 1985 to 2025. The teams did not meet in 2026.
The six neutral tests are four played in Australia during the Covid-disrupted 2020 and 2021 seasons, plus the 2015 and 2023 World Cup meetings. Until Argentina’s 2025 win in Buenos Aires, New Zealand had never lost a test in Argentina, winning 14 and drawing one of their first 15 there.
Argentina’s four wins over the All Blacks
| Date | Venue | Score | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Nov 2020 | Sydney | Argentina 25–15 | First-ever win over New Zealand, in the Tri Nations |
| 27 Aug 2022 | Christchurch | Argentina 25–18 | First win on New Zealand soil |
| 10 Aug 2024 | Wellington | Argentina 38–30 | Rugby Championship opener; second win in New Zealand |
| 23 Aug 2025 | Buenos Aires | Argentina 29–23 | First home win over the All Blacks |
Argentina’s test wins against New Zealand.
The first three of those defeats were each answered emphatically in the very next meeting. New Zealand won 38–0 two weeks after the 2020 loss, 53–3 a week after Christchurch in 2022 and 42–10 at Eden Park a week after the 2024 defeat in Wellington.
The 2025 series in Argentina
The 2025 loss broke that pattern, because it came in the second test of a two-match series rather than the first. New Zealand had won the opener 41–24 in Córdoba on 16 August. A week later in Buenos Aires the All Blacks scored tries through Billy Proctor, Fletcher Newell and Samisoni Taukei’aho, but were undone by tries from Juan Martín González and Gonzalo García and the goal-kicking of Santiago Carreras, losing 29–23 to hand Los Pumas their historic home win.
World Cup meetings
| Year | Stage | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Pool | New Zealand 46–15 | Wellington |
| 2011 | Quarter-final | New Zealand 33–10 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 2015 | Pool | New Zealand 26–16 | Wembley, London |
| 2023 | Semi-final | New Zealand 44–6 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis |
All Blacks v Argentina at the Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand have won all four World Cup meetings. The 2023 semi-final win sent them to a record fifth final, which they lost 12–11 to South Africa. A fuller account of the All Blacks’ World Cup history, including their titles in 1987, 2011 and 2015, is on the New Zealand national team’s Wikipedia page.
When the All Blacks play Argentina next
There was no All Blacks v Argentina test in 2026. The Rugby Championship was taken off the calendar for the year to make room for the new Nations Championship and a full-length All Blacks tour of South Africa, where New Zealand played the Springboks in a four-test series covered on our All Blacks vs South Africa page.
SANZAAR has confirmed the Rugby Championship returns in 2027 in an earlier July–August window, ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Australia. New Zealand were drawn in Pool A alongside hosts Australia, Chile and debutants Hong Kong China, and open against Chile in Perth, so any meeting with Argentina at the tournament could only come in the knockout rounds.
That next test will also be the first under Dave Rennie, who was appointed head coach in 2026 after Scott Robertson stepped down in January. Robertson left following a review of a 2025 season in which the All Blacks lost to Argentina, South Africa and England. New Zealand’s other long-running rivalries, including the trans-Tasman contest for the Bledisloe Cup against Australia, run alongside the Argentina fixture on the test calendar.
Betting on All Blacks v Argentina
One pattern stands out since 2020: Argentina’s wins have all been close, while New Zealand’s wins have often come by large margins. That distinction matters more for handicap (line) betting — where the winning margin decides the bet — than for simply picking the winner, and the results page linked above lists every margin.
TAB NZ is the only operator legally allowed to offer online racing and sports betting to people in New Zealand, and you must be 18 or over to bet. Our rugby betting guide explains how line and other rugby markets settle, and the TAB NZ overview covers deposit limits and the other account tools available.
A note on responsible gambling
This page is general sports information for readers aged 18 and over. It is not betting, financial or legal advice, and it is not intended to encourage anyone to gamble. Since 28 June 2025, TAB NZ has been the only operator permitted to offer online racing and sports betting to people in New Zealand.
If gambling is causing harm for you or someone close to you, free and confidential help is available 24/7 from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or free text 8006. The Problem Gambling Foundation also offers free counselling and support.
Reference sources
- Wikipedia — History of rugby union matches between Argentina and New Zealand
- FloRugby — Los Pumas make rugby history, beat All Blacks on home turf for first time
- Sky Sports — Argentina 29-23 New Zealand: Los Pumas claim historic first victory on home soil
- Americas Rugby News — Rugby Championship 2025: Argentina vs New Zealand game 2 guide
- ABC News — Rugby Championship scrapped for 2026
- All Blacks — All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup 2027 campaign to kick off against Chile
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many times have Argentina beaten the All Blacks?
Four times: 25–15 in Sydney in 2020, 25–18 in Christchurch in 2022, 38–30 in Wellington in 2024 and 29–23 in Buenos Aires in 2025.
When did Argentina first beat the All Blacks?
On 14 November 2020 in Sydney, winning 25–15 in the Tri Nations. It was the 30th test between the two sides.
What is the All Blacks’ biggest win over Argentina?
93–8 in Wellington on 21 June 1997, an 85-point margin and still New Zealand’s record score against Argentina.
Have the All Blacks and Argentina ever drawn?
Once, 21–21 in Buenos Aires on 2 November 1985, in only the second test between the teams.
Have the All Blacks and Argentina met at the Rugby World Cup?
Four times, in 1987, 2011, 2015 and 2023. New Zealand won all four, including the 2023 semi-final 44–6.
When do the All Blacks play Argentina next?
Not in 2026, as the Rugby Championship was shelved for the year. The competition is due to return in July and August 2027, ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Australia.
