All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has praised his side's performance in Cordoba this morning, after they overcame both the Pumas and their own mistakes to come away with an ultimately comfortable 41-22 win.
"It was a great test match, with a great atmosphere," he said at the post-match press conference. "31-10 at halftime, we let them back in by not having the discipline that's required.
"There's a lot of efforts we can look back on and areas we can improve."
The big halftime lead was built on some clinical work in the first 40 minutes, but several entries into the 22 were blown by simple handling errors and miscommunication. The second half saw the inaccuracy spread to the other side of the ball, with defensive lapses allowing the home side to score two tries and come within seven points of the lead.
Samisoni Taukei'aho scores against the Pumas. Photo: ActionPress
However, a ruthless last 15 minutes saw Robertson's side take control of the game and score two lineout-drive tries to Samisoni Taukei'aho to seal victory.
The result also means the All Blacks are now the top-ranked side in the World Rugby rankings, thanks to the Wallabies' upset win over the Springboks in Johannesburg this morning, but Robertson and the All Blacks were unaware of that fact, when it was put to them in the press conference.
"It's actually something we just learned, because you just told us, he said. "Look, it shows how tough test footy is and the margins.
"Argentina were great tonight and defended really, really well, and were passionate - just like the Springboks were too."
The two-time reigning world champions led 22-0 after only 20 minutes, before the Wallabies scores 38 unanswered points.
"A moment, discipline, a card, great play, two or three tries back to back can turn test matches," Robertson said. "We're pleased we're No.1, but our sights are settled on next week's match, rather than rankings."
Robertson added there was plenty to improve on.
"You're never satisfied as an All Black, because there's always room to improve," he said. "The exciting part is we did so much good stuff."
Just what next weekend's clash in Buenos Aires will entail is very interesting in terms of selection. Tamaiti Williams and Wallace Sititi have been flagged as available, and while Williams will likely go straight back into the front row, Sititi's path may well be off the bench, thanks to another very tidy performance at blindside by Tupou Vaa'i.
Some form-based selections will be considered too, with several squad members yet to debut. The two sides meet again next Sunday morning NZT.
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