Rugby Championship: New Zealand overcome Argentina
New Zealand extended their 100% start to the Rugby Championship with a hard-fought victory over a stubborn Argentina in rain-lashed Hamilton.
The Pumas took an early 7-0 lead with a converted Juan Manuel Leguizamon try.
The Rugby Championship 2013
Saturday 18 August Australia 29-47 New Zealand South Africa 73-13 Argentina Saturday 24 August New Zealand 27-16 Australia Argentina 17-22 South Africa Saturday 7 September New Zealand 28-13 Argentina Australia v South Africa (1105 BST) Saturday 14 September New Zealand v South Africa Australia v Argentina Saturday 28 September South Africa v Australia Argentina v New Zealand Saturday 5 October South Africa v New Zealand Argentina v Australia But a Dan Carter penalty and two quick-fire tries from scrum-half Aaron Smith saw the All Blacks take a 15-10 half-time lead at Waikato Stadium. Another Carter penalty and Julian Savea's try put the hosts 25-13 clear before Beauden Barrett's late penalty. But the All Blacks, who equalled a Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship record with their ninth straight victory in the annual southern hemisphere tournament, saw skipper Richie McCaw limp off with a knee injury on the hour. Argentina also suffered a blow when Leicester-bound wing Gonzalo Camacho departed early in the second half with a dislocated shoulder. Saturday's second game sees Australia, who lost their opening two games home and away to New Zealand, host South Africa - who have beaten Argentina twice so far - in Brisbane. More to follow. New Zealand: Dagg, B Smith, C Smith, Saili, Savea, Carter, A Smith; Woodcock, Hore, Faumuina, Retallick, Whitelock, Luatua, McCaw, Read. Replacements: Coles, Crockett, B Franks, Thrush, Cane, Kerr-Barlow, Barrett, Piutau. Argentina: Hernandez, Camacho, Bosch, Fernandez, Agulla, Sanchez, Landajo, Ayerza, Guinazu, Figallo, Carizza, Farias Cabello, Fernandez Lobbe, Matera, Leguizamon. Replacements: Creevy, Lobo, Orlandi, Galarza, Macome, Cubelli, Contepomi, Gonzalez Amorosino.