With two rounds of action remaining Steve Hansen’s All Blacks boast a six-point cushion over Australia and South Africa in second and third respectively.

Such a margin means a bonus-point win over the Pumas will see New Zealand extend their Rugby Championship hegemony, having won both titles since the inaugural competition began with the introduction of Argentina in 2012.

Skipper Richie McCaw will equal a 43-year record Saturday, matching legendary lock Colin Meads who made 133 appearances for the All Blacks — 55 Tests and 78 other matches — before his 1971 retirement.

Flanker McCaw has worn the famous black jersey 132 times to date with all but one match against the Barbarians being Tests.

In a 15-year international career, the sheep farmer became an iconic figure, adored by his rugby-loving countrymen and respected by all opponents.

McCaw has developed into a modern rugby colossus, who led hosts New Zealand to the 2011 World Cup title.

While the All Blacks have dominated the Rugby Championship with 15 wins and a draw, Argentina have found life among the elite extremely difficult with one draw and 15 losses.

But New Zealand coach Hansen was quick to praise Argentina, who have lost three of four Championship games this season by seven or fewer points to earn a losing bonus point.

Physicality

A 28-9 defeat in soggy New Zealand was the only Test in which the Agustin Creevy-skippered South Americans failed to collect a losing bonus point.

“To beat the Pumas we must deliver a quality performance, full of excitement, energy, physicality and accuracy,” stressed the coach.

“The Pumas have been playing very well and are a much improved side since last season. Expectations of a home win among supporters will be high.”

Argentina coach Daniel Hourcade hopes a team lacking injured back-row star Juan Manuel Leguizamon can recover from a “shameful” 32-25 loss in Australia.

“It was our worst performance of the season as we spent most of the time defending,” he said. “The only consolation was that we still came close to a draw.”

Injuries and ill-discipline forced Hansen to change five of the team that started against the Springboks in a 14-10 Wellington win a fortnight ago.

In come centre Malakai Fekitoa, fly-half Beauden Barrett, hooker Keven Mealamu, lock Sam Whitelock while flanker Jerome Kaino, with the injured Ma’a Nonu, suspended Aaron Cruden, father-to-be Dane Cole as well as the dropped Jeremy Thrush and Steven Luatua making way.

Meanwhile, Pumas coach Hourcade has made three changes to his side following their 32-25 reverse against the Wallabies; Tomas Cubelli coming in at scrum-half, Thomas Lavanini returning at lock and Benjamin Macome replacing the injured Juan Manuel Leguizamon.

Keys

The weather will be crucial. It’s been a wet week in the Bay and more rain is predicted on Saturday night. It could denude the All Blacks of some of their attacking weapons and kicking will be crucial. Have they learned from their mistakes in Sydney? The Pumas’ scrum is a beast and the All Blacks’ pack need to stick to their task or they could be backpedalling at a rate of knots.

Prediction

While the Puma’s have performed stronger than anyone predicted in this year’s quad-country competition, beating the All Blacks at home or away, is a tough ask for anyone, let alone a team – somewhat unjustly, ranked outside the top 10.

For the Puma’s to have any chance, they’ll need to force the All Blacks into many, many scrums. But even then, the All Blacks looks too strong across the field.  Even with the off-field distraction of Aaron Cruden, the Kiwi’s should walk it in. I’m tipping New Zealand by 18.

Teams

All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett

Bench: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Joe Moody, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Malakai Fekitoa

Argentina: Joaquin Tuculet, Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Juan Martin Hernandez, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo, Leonardo Senatore, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Tomas Lavanini, Mariano Galarza, Ramiro Herrera, Agustin Creevy (capt), Marcos Ayerza

Bench: Matas Cortese, Lucas Noguera Paz, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Matas Alemanno, Rodrigo Baez, Tomas Cubelli, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Juan Imhoff

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More often than not when these two teams meet, it’s a match-up of the top two nations in world rugby, and there is no difference today. The Boks have looked a little shaky as of late, narrowly scraping past Argentina twice and losing narrowly to the Wallabies last weekend.

The tourists must settle on their game plan, too often this year it almost looks as if they’re not too sure what to do, kick-chase or play expansive. The All Blacks are missing some key players for this game, but on paper, would still appear to have more cohesion and flair.

While most nations can only dream of beating the All Blacks, South Africa’s Springboks have won against them 34 times. New Zealand has dominated in recent decades and still has the edge in the head-to-heads, with 50 victories, but the win percentage of 57% is its lowest against anyone.

New Zealand has won their last 35 matches at home, easily a record – 13 more than the next nearest nation has managed. The All Blacks last loss in New Zealand can exactly five years ago. And the opponents on that day was South Africa who departed Waikato Stadium with a 32-29 victory. The Springboks have now lost to New Zealand in their last five meetings.

Steve Hanson’s job has been made a little more difficult with injuries to Sam Whitelock and Liam Messam. Aaron Cruden moves into the starting line-up and Beauden Barrett shifting to the bench.

The Springboks have shown they are set on attack, naming 20-year olf Handre Pollard at fly half. “The forwards are settled, but we’re struggling to get continuity in the back-line.” Meyer said.

Referees have come under the spotlight in the Rugby Championship and adapting to Frenchman Jerome Garces could be crucial. Avoiding yellow cards and getting on the right side of scrum and technical ruck rulings are vital in tight Tests. Both teams have won five-from-five under Garces.

Key Match-Ups

Brodie Retallick v Eben Etzebeth

Two of the best young locks in world rugby will face off when Brodie Retallick and Eben Etzebeth do battle in Wellington on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old Retallick burst onto the scene with the Chiefs a couple of years ago and is now regarded as one of the most mobile locks on the planet. Busy in defence and a wonderful support player, Retallick has virtually become the prototype for the modern-day tall timber.

22-year-old Etzebeth probably doesn’t work as hard as his All Blacks rival but what he lacks in runs and tackles, he more than makes up for in raw aggression.

The Stormers giant is an excellent lineout option and although discipline can sometimes be a worry, he is capable of producing the kind of bone-jarring tackles that can turn a game.

Ma’a Nonu v Jean De Villiers

Springboks captain Jean De Villiers wouldn’t have it any other way, yet another showdown with great rival Ma’a Nonu is surely the skipper’s dream result in what is his 100th Test.

De Villiers was quoted earlier this week saying that he thought he’d never play another Test such was the horror show that was his debut way back in 2002, yet the blond bomber will go down as one of the great Bok backs when he eventually wraps up his stellar career.

The centurion has faced off with Nonu in many a Test, and the hard-running, hard-hitting duo know exactly what to expect from each other. The All Blacks No.12 has the advantage of having the experienced Aaron Cruden back at No.10 and that could be crucial early on.

Rising star Handre Pollard will face the All Blacks for the first time and the young flyhalf is bound to feel a few nerves in the opening stages. De Villiers will need to be a calming influence.

Israel Dagg v Willie Le Roux

They may not possess the raw power and athleticism of Israel Folau but rival fullbacks Willie Le Roux and Israel Dagg boast other strengths in creativity and wonderful individual skill.

Dagg was left out of the Bledisloe clashes against Australia due to a lack of form but quickly rediscovered the magic in an ITM Cup stint with Hawkes Bay. His inclusion again keeps the classy Ben Smith on the wing and alongside Julian Savea, the trio make up the most fearsome back three in the game.

Le Roux has been one of the standout attack threats in Super Rugby over the last few seasons and is now matching those efforts on the Test arena. Coach Heyneke Meyer wants his side to play more attacking rugby and Le Roux would benefit from a greater licence to roam.

Both men have the ability to make the match-winning play.

Our Prediction

All Blacks v Springboks is the most anticipated match of the year, and this one promises to be a ripper. How the All Blacks copes with the power of the South African pack. As well as how the Springboks manage to shut-down the All Blacks out wide and take away the space the Kiwi’s thrive on, will be key for both teams, and who ever adapts their respective challenges, best and quickest will have gone a long way to winning this match.

However, the All Blacks are on a 35 game winning steak at home, and we can’t see that trend changing today. We tip the All Blacks to win by 8.

Teams

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 1 Wyatt Crockett,  2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick,  5 Jeremy Thrush,  6 Steven Luatua, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 8 Kieran Read.
Bench: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Cory Jane.

South Africa: 15 Wille le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jan Serfontein, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Victor Matfield, 6 Francois Louw, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 8 Duane Vermeulen.
Bench: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Marcel van der Merwe, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Warren Whiteley, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Damian de Allende.

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