Ulster-bound Charles Piutau among the tries for All Blacks

Wellington. The All Blacks pack has another chance to shake out the cobwebs while a potentially game-breaking combination will be blooded in midfield when New Zealand begins their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina on Friday.

The dominance of the All Blacks can not be understated, having lost just twice in their previous 50 games, a historical era of dominance since they captured the World Cup in 2011 that they’ll be looking to defend this year.

Taylor capped his first appearance for the All Blacks when he scored his side’s fifth try that cemented the victory margin.

The All Blacks are hoping tonight’s Test against Argentina in Christchurch is an opportunity to redeem themselves.

McCaw said it would be a case of adapting to whatever the conditions threw up.

“I think he can get better at carrying the ball, rather than just being the link between the rest of the backs and the halfback”, he said.

The return of the European contingent for the opening Rugby Championship Test meant only four players-Guido Petti, Facundo Isa, Jeronimo De la Fuente and Santiago Cordero-survived from the recent home series against the French Barbarians.

Argentina briefly rallied with a brace of identical tries from skipper Agustin Creevy to reduce the gap to 32-18, but New Zealand were never seriously threatened and they added a fifth score late on through debutant Codie Taylor.

The match against Argentina at AMI Stadium in Christchurch is the first in the Rugby Championship and, arguably, the first real test in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup. His immediate priority was to focus on ensuring the All Blacks unbeaten record against the Pumas remains intact.

Creevy was pleased to achieve the rare feat of a try double against the All Blacks, but said his team will have to improve before the teams meet again at the World Cup.

However a Dhs19 million (€4.7m) investment from the FFR, coupled with the release of several outstanding Top 14 players including France global forward Fulgence Ouedraogo, seems to have changed Les Bleus’ fortunes.

Sanchez then slotted his second penalty in the 33rd minute before the All Blacks pace eventually told in the final minutes of the first half with Nonu barging over, with Carter converting from the sideline to give them an 18-6 lead.

“But this test match is all about the here and now”.

Juan Martin Hernandez, Tomas Lavanini, Pablo Matera, Leonardo Senatore, Felipe Ezcurra, Santiago Iglesias Valdez and Tomás Lezana are all absent but coach Daniel Hourcade still has a seasoned squad.

“It’s something I’m always working on”, he said. “We are not so happy with what we have shown today”. Although he has yet to officially confirm his retirement, he is expected to withdraw from all forms of the game following the World Cup.