Two tries to powerhouse winger Julian Savea propelled the All Blacks to a convincing 28-9 win over Argentina at a rain-soaked McLean Park in Napier on Saturday night.
Savea crossed in each half as the hosts scored four tries to make light of a poor kicking display by first five-eighth Beauden Barrett in the Rugby Championship Test.
Barrett, making his first start in the No.10 jersey, landed only one of his five attempts at goal but laid on two tries and had a hand in a third to more than balance the ledger.
Coach Steve Hansen said Barrett would only benefit from the outing in tricky conditions.
"It was a great for him. He's going to learn a lot from it," said Hansen.
Hansen said he was very happy with the final result, especially securing a bonus point.
"I was very pleased with the intent and purpose of the side. Yes we made a few mistakes, but we made them trying to do things and trying play positive rugby," he said.
Argentina captain Agustin Creevy said he rued his side's inability to make the most of their few opportunities.
"We didn't take advantage of our chances to score and that was the difference," he said.
The wet conditions made handling difficult and both sides were guilty of a host of errors in a largely uninspiring first half played in steady drizzle.
Both teams traded penalties before Savea continued his stunning try-scoring record.
The left wing crossed for his 25th try in as many Tests to latch onto a grubber kick from Conrad Smith after Barrett's similar kick helped them get in behind the defence.
Local hero Israel Dagg, recalled as fullback, was cheered loudly by the capacity 21,329 crowd every time he touched the ball in just the second Test match played in Napier.
But he couldn't do much to prevent the match meandering as it approached the interval forcing the crowd to amuse themselves with a Mexican wave as mistakes and reset scrums left them frustrated.
The All Blacks resorted to up-and-unders to get them on the front foot as poor handling and a swarming Pumas defence limited their opportunities.
A rare scrum tighthead by the All Blacks allowed Barrett to scythe through the Pumas' defence and send Liam Messam away for a try and a 13-6 lead at the break
Barrett laid on Savea's second try minutes after the resumption with a pass to send the winger over for his seventh try in five games against the Pumas.
Halfback Aaron Smith added the bonus point try late on to go in under the posts and, despite a disallowed try to No.8 Leonardo Senatore, the Pumas offered little in the way of an attacking threat.
Lock Sam Whitelock left the field with a rib injury while Messam also limped off with a quad problem and Hansen said both were in doubt to face South Africa in Wellington on Saturday.
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