Argentina rue lost opportunity as All Blacks survive tough test

International Test/ Argentina 19 New Zealand 25: Dan Carter failed to live up to his high standards but still scored 15 points to push New Zealand to a six-point Test victory over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Outhalf Carter and Pumas counterpart Federico Todeschini were both profligate with their kicks, despite being handed a number of opportunities by Welsh referee Nigel Whitehouse.

However, Carter and Crusaders team-mates Leon MacDonald and Test debutant Scott Hamilton crossed for tries, while Montpellier flanker Martin Durand scored the Pumas' try.

The visitors suffered a familiar first-half lull, going into the interval a point in arrears despite leading the try count 2-1.

Argentina led 16-15 at the break, courtesy of Durand's score and 11 points from Beziers outhalf Todeschini, who added another penalty in the second period.

However, he missed several chances to claim a famous victory with weak goal kicking. MacDonald and Sam Tuitupou also saw yellow in the latter stages, but the All Blacks extended their unbeaten run to 10 games ahead of the Tri-Nations Series.

Stand-in New Zealand captain Jerry Collins said: "We made it tough on ourselves. I can't take anything away from Argentina, they're very hard to beat at home and we just did enough.

"It was a good workout, but that's probably not what people at home want to hear, or see on the scoreboard."

"We made two mistakes and got penalised, and that's how the All Blacks play. They're the best team in the world and I love their rugby," said Pumas skipper Agustin Pichot.

ARGENTINA: Martin Hernandez, Nunez Piossek, Pedro Tiesi, Contepomi, Martin-Aramburu, Todeschini, Pichot, Roncero, Ledesma, Hasan, I. Fernandez Lobbe, Alvarez, J. Fernandez Lobbe, Durand, Longo-Elia. Replacements: M Scelzo for Hasan (64 minutes), JM Leguizamon for Durand (64 minutes).

NEW ZEALAND: L MacDonald, R Gear, I Toeava, S Tuitupou, S Hamilton, D Carter, P Weepu, T Woodcock, A Oliver, G Somerville, J Eaton, A Williams, J Collins, C Masoe, M Tuiali'i. Replacements: N Tialata for Woodcock (64 minutes), A Hore for Oliver (68 minutes ).

Referee: N Whitehouse (Wales).