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The world champion All Blacks woke from their slumber to produce a devastating performance, trouncing the Pumas 54-15 in near perfect conditions at Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.
After having struggled with wins from the early Tests of The Rugby Championship, the hunger and mindset of aiming to improve immediately had a profound effect once the Kapa O Pango was acted out for the first time on Argentine soil.
There were still some rusty moments from the New Zealanders during the early stages which led to a couple of uncharacteristic errors, particularly the sissy passes – which even skipper Richie McCaw was guilty of one – placing themselves under unnecessary pressure.
Either the forwards decided to have a bit of a muck around or halfback Aaron Smith was still finishing off his breakfast, hence his delayed presence at the rucks.
Although credit where it’s due, as the venomous defence from Argentina was probably under-estimated, that the likes of McCaw and Conrad Smith soon found out after feeling the full brunt when slammed on their backsides.
It was the hosts that somehow began with dangerous velocity and sheer determination, only to be rewarded with the first try of the match, courtesy of dynamic halfback Martin Landjaro diving over after superb lead-up work from exciting fullback Lucas ‘Speedy’ Gonzalez Amorosino.
The All Blacks responded not long after – albeit an opportunistic moment – where Ma’a Nonu displayed great vision to scoop the ball from a ruck and added a touch of his explosiveness in the process.
He was pulled down by some desperate cover defence yet managed to offload his try-assist to a scampering Smith (the halfback finally springing into action with the napkin still stuck on his chest).
It was a much-improved all-round effort from the newly-crowned winners of The Rugby Championship.
With regular superstars McCaw and Dan Carter guiding the side with a minimum of fuss, their big-game experience told in the end with a clinical showing by the team as a whole.
However, the inspirational leader and his vice captain would both admit that it wasn’t their best games, with McCaw making a few errors and conceding silly penalties whereas Carter missed relatively easy goals by his usual standards.
The premier pivot still had some moment of brilliance when he broke through the advantage line on several occasions and also reminded the opposition of his deadly fend.
Nevertheless, the rest of the team owed them one and they certainly delivered.
Liam Messam has come of age and justified the reason he was signed to a long-term NZRU contract just prior to the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Despite his obliteration from last year’s World Cup squad before getting a recall, the potential has been reached. His performances so far this year has shone through for all to see, and it is obvious he has improved dramatically in the Test arena.
Messam may lack the intimidating factor that his predecessors the calibre of Jerry Collins and Jerome Kaino had installed, but he backs himself, loves to get involved and puts his body on the line more often than people actually realises.
Not to mention his fabulous ball skills, it was the Chiefs’ captain that gave the incredible pass when No.8 Kieran Read burst through the line before off-loading to a flying Cory Jane on the left wing for the first of his hat-trick.
Jane himself keeps getting better and he has probably confirmed his status as the best winger in world rugby, although across the South Atlantic, Springbok Bryan Habana also manufactured a hat-trick of his own in South Africa’s demolition of the woeful Wallabies.
But need we be reminded that Jane was also a world champion Sevens exponent.
His consistency under the high ball, improved work-rate and wonderful finisher has undoubtedly placed him ahead of his rivals.
It won’t be long before the rising star that is Julian Savea overtakes them all.
The commentators were spot on when they mentioned that Savea was excellent in this match, and you couldn’t agree more.
The young gun kept himself busy with a fine display, tackling anything that moved his way and constantly looking for work which paid handsome dividends with two tries of his own.
Nonu was crushingly effective and was possibly neck and neck with his former Hurricane comrade Jane, in taking the man-of-the-match honours.
Sam Whitelock is a mean-looking rugged dude and plays exactly like it, where he may well be the answer to the enforcer-type we are still waiting for.
The two burly props Owen Franks and Tony Woodcock worked admirably in unison, if not at the set-pieces but at times as the last line of defence, they were absolutely brutal. Their work in tandem was reminiscence of the powerful tag team from the old WWF days, when Legion of Doom, Road Warriors Hawk and Animal ruled the wrestling ring.
Unfortunately, the fact that age catches up is just not funny anymore, and both hookers Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu could be seen struggling a bit out there at separate times.
Hore was caught napping inside the 22, when Puma right winger Gonzalo Camacho headed straight for him before rolly-polying together over the line for Argentina’s second try.
Mealamu also had his dreadful moments, with a lineout throw going astray, and a couple of penalties to cap it off.
Israel Dagg has had a stellar series so far, tidying up a lot of scrappy play directed towards his territory and the custodian keeps rising to the occasion.
When McCaw left the field, it was a smart move from Steve Hansen (who continues to impress as Head Coach) considering the well-known sabbatical that the All Black great will appreciate when he takes a well-deserved ‘holiday’ for six months next year, allowing Read some time to groom into his own leadership qualities and take the team under his wing.
As well as on the flipside, Sam Cane will continue to gain further experience to showcase his outstanding contribution since he was introduced as McCaw’s successor, so it’s a win-win for all.
Make no mistake, contrary to negative opinions and comments of no substance at all, but I’m sticking solid with McCaw starting and leading our nation to the next World Cup – end of story.
Anything less is an insult to our greatest captain and player not only for the All Blacks, but in world rugby history.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.