HAMILTON, New Zealand: The All Blacks produced an error-strewn performance and lost captain Richie McCaw in the process as they downed Argentina 28-13 in their Rugby Championship clash yesterday.
McCaw was left writhing in agony with a knee injury and coach Steve Hansen said he could be out for at least four weeks.
McCaw had been one of the few All Blacks to impress as they took control midway through the first half, when piling on 12 unanswered points in a 10-minute spell, after Argentina were punished with a yellow card for a professional foul.
But it was not the performance the All Blacks wanted for their 382nd victory, which put them level with France as the most successful Test-playing nations.
The three-tries-to-one win was also not the warm-up they wanted before the expected tougher challenge next week from the Springboks.
In a game that lacked rhythm in the constant drizzle that fell throughout, the All Blacks went three from three in their quest to retain the Rugby Championship title after having previously swept past Australia 47-29 and 27-16.
They lifted their try tally to 11 from the three matches. AFP
