OPINION: Even without many of their frontline performers, the All Blacks were too strong for Argentina at Brisbane, running away to a 36-13 victory that took them to the brink of another Rugby Championship crown.
As coach Ian Foster rested his stars, he took the opportunity to expose many of his fringe players to prolonged minutes of test rugby.
New Zealand's best performers were a couple of players that grabbed their chances with both hands.
All Blacks player ratings against the Pumas were:
Joe Moody 8
Celebrated his 33rd birthday with a tremendous all-round performance, setting the tone with a crunching tackle from the opening kickoff, carrying strongly and anchoring a dominant scrum.
Made eight big tackles and even showed his halfback skills.
Samisoni Taukei'aho 9
Remember when we worried whether his kid was simply being stolen away from Tonga? He again showed he's here to stay, relentless with his physicality on both sides of the ball, scoring a try and throwing darts at the lineouts.
When he left the game, was his team's leading tackler with 10. Lost his jersey before halftime, but shouldn't lose it again anytime soon.
Tyrel Lomax 7
A willing running mate for Moody, only a pace behind in the loose and helped overpower the vaunted Pumas scrum.
Patrick Tuipulotu 7
Scored the opening try, won lineout ball and toiled in the tight, filling the Sam Whitelock role admirably. Stole a Pumas throw to an attacking lineout in the second half.
Tupou Vaa'i 8
Produced some promising early touches, capped his first-half effort with a well-taken try and then secured a double late. A real athlete, who wouldn't be out of place among the loose forwards.
Ethan Blackadder 9
Absolutely brutal throughout, carrying Tuipulotu across the line for his try. Won lineouts, carried strongly and won a crucial maul turnover, as the Pumas threatened to score from a lineout.
Three key touches in the build-up to Taukei'aho's try and finished as his team's leading tackler (12). Even his five missed tackles and four penalties conceded attested to his high workrate.
Ardie Savea 9
Great captain's knock from the skip, assisting on tries to Tuipulotu and Taukei'aho, and showing a nice chip & chase in the build-up to Vaa'i's first.
Hoskins Sotutu 8
Devastating with ball in hand, his linebreak was instrumental in Tuipultou's try, provided assists for Perenara and Vaa'i, and gained valuable metres off the back of a defensive scrum to clear danger.
TJ Perenara 8
Did most of the talking within the group and led by example, pressuring his opposite into a penalty at scrum time and capitalising to score a first-half try. We should be thankful the NRL thing came to nothing.
Damian McKenzie 8
Some clever touches that never quite paid off, but scrambled well under pressure and didn't overplay his hand. Put Jordie Barrett through a gap and chip-kicked for a disallowed Ioane try, even won a couple of ruck turnovers.
George Bridge 6
Courageous under the high ball and showed clever skills, but also dropped a pass to end a promising attack.
Made a crucial tackle to snuff out a late Pumas try.
Quinn Tupaea 6
Performed strongly in midfield, both on attack and defence, and let no-one down, despite his inexperience. Beat five defenders.
Rieko Ioane 7
Threatened every time he touched the ball, continuing a fine run of attacking form. Unlucky to have two tries disallowed, logging 97 metres off just four runs.
Will Jordan 7
Couldn't continue his tryscoring run, but had one called back and was pulled down just short on another. Last pass for an Ioane 'try' was forward, but showed a nice touch in Taukei'aho's five-pointer.
Was caught out on defence, as the Pumas scored their try with kick behind, and conceded three turnovers, but made plenty of tackles and popped up for a key back-pedalling intercept late.
Jordie Barrett 7
Again impressed under the high ball and made a couple of linebreaks that had the Pumas stretched. Should retain the No.15 jersey for his goalkicking alone, far superior to older brother Beauden - his only miss hit the post from the sideline.
Put his team under needless pressure with a late penalty overstep, but beat six defenders in a solid all-round display otherwise.
Reserves
Codie Taylor 5
Replaced Taukei'aho in the 48th minute. Lacked the impact of his predecessor.
George Bower 6
Replaced Lomax in the 49th minute. Helped overpower a dangerous Pumas attacking scrum late.
Ofa Tuungafasi 6
Replaced Moody in the 48th minute. Helped overpower a dangerous Pumas attacking scrum late.
Scott Barrett 6
Replaced Tuipulotu in the 69th minute. Clever carry and offload for Vaa'i's second try.
Luke Jacobson 5
Replaces Sotutu in the 65th minute.
Finlay Christie 5
Replaced Perenara in the 48th minute, charged down a clearing kick, but could not control the bounce for a try. Bustled off the ball to put his team under pressure late.
Beauden Barrett 5
Replaced McKenzie in the 65th minute. Uncharacteristic drop put his team under pressure late.
Braydon Ennor 5
Replaced Ioane in the 54th minute, returning from a horror run of injury and illness.
Grant Chapman is Newshub's online sports lead. Join us at 7pm next Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v South Africa Rugby Championship clash.
