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The All Blacks were far too good for the Pumas over 80 minutes, recording a thumping 35-point victory.
This is a team simply on another dimension compared to the rest of the world. For 50 minutes, the Pumas were in the running to cause a significant upset but then the All Blacks hit another gear and piled over 30 points in the second half to once again send a message to the rest of the rugby world.
With Barrett, Smith, Savea and Crotty all in great form, no team can touch the men in black. The Springboks get their chance next week. The Pumas meanwhile, get a chance for redemption against the Wallabies next week.
Final score:
All Blacks 57
Pumas 22
The All Blacks are in fine form, but that doesn’t mean the Pumas won’t pose a significant challenge for the reigning World Cup champions. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:35pm (AEST).
Argentina’s inclusion into the Rugby Championship and Super Rugby tournaments has seen the Pumas become a formidable team, capable of regularly beating rugby’s elite.
Having beaten the Springboks two weeks ago, the Pumas are full of confidence as they head to Hamilton to take on a New Zealand team whose domination of world rugby is absolute.
If the Pumas are to register a historic victory, they have to play the percentages against the most clinical Test side on Earth.
Argentina have improved their attacking play immeasurably, as evidenced by their scintillating tries against South Africa.
Against the All Blacks however, the Pumas need to employ a disciplined kicking game to establish territorial dominance. There is no need to take unnecessary risks against a side that invariably scores tries off opposition mistakes.
Indeed, the Wallabies were punished consistently for poor play in their own half in the first Test at ANZ Stadium, as New Zealand piled on the points to effectively kill off the contest by halftime.
The Pumas need to play attacking rugby in the right areas of the field. When given the opportunity to attack, Argentina should avoid going for three points, and instead put the All Blacks defence under pressure with a scrum or quick tap.
Even if points are hard to come by for Argentina, just keeping New Zealand in their own half for extended periods is a victory in itself for many teams, and it is a tactic that the Pumas have to employ if they are to produce a first-off win against the champion team.
If the Pumas can keep mistakes to a minimum, play territory, and back themselves in attack, they are a chance of testing New Zealand. Anything less and another comprehensive victory awaits for the All Blacks.