The All Blacks captain Kieran Read is quietly confident his side can beat Argentina in Hamilton tonight but is wary the Pumas are out for blood.
New Zealand are unbeaten in the Rugby Championship after two convincing wins over Australia while the Pumas have come off a win and a loss against South Africa.
The All Blacks celebrate an Israel Dagg try. Photo: Photosport
Argentina have never beaten the All Blacks before but Read said that did not mean they could be taken lightly.
"We've prepared really well, in saying that we're looking at this Argie team as a real threat to us. They're coming under the radar, they've certainly got a bit of confidence about them.
"They're a good side, they ran us close last year so it's going to be a big test for us," Read said.
Memories of last year's Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Christchurch are fresh in the minds of the All Blacks.
Last time the two sides played in New Zealand the Pumas hooker and captain Augustine Creevy scored two tries off Argentina's rolling maul.
While that was not enough for Argentina to win, Read said they would not be taking their their set piece for granted.
All Blacks captain, Kieran Read Photo: AFP
"They're a quality set piece side and they put pressure on the South Africans in different facets I think," he said.
"The maul is probably one area of the lineout play that's going to be tested for us this week, because they love to drive there and so it'll be a good test."
Read said Argentina's ability to grind out tough victories against even tougher opponents had not gone unnoticed either.
Last weekend, Argentina recorded just their second victory over South Africa after forfeiting the lead late in the second half, only to win it back in the final moments of the match.
Read said Argentina's determination has always been a strength of theirs.
"The fact that they could grind out a victory, you know it always breeds success upon success generally when you get wins like that, so they'll certainly be turning up with a bit of confidence and a bit of ... a chance to throw the ball around and give it all they've got."
- RNZ
