Hansen challenges his side to get better

– Coach Steve Hansen has raised the bar for New Zealand as they seek victory over Argentina today and a record-extending fifth Rugby Championship title.

The 58-year-old former policeman, who guided the All Blacks to victory at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, wants more of the superlative rugby that bamboozled South Africa this month.

New Zealand scored eight tries in a 57-0 Auckland romp – the heaviest defeat suffered by the Springboks in their history.

“I am challenging the team to produce similar performances in the upcoming Tests, starting with the Pumas,” he told reporters.

“It is going to be a tough ask because they were pretty good against the Springboks.”

Victory for New Zealand will take them to at least 23 points and beyond the reach of second-placed South Africa, who host Australia in Bloemfontein earlier today.

Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade knows what lies ahead for a team skippered by Agustin Creevy, one of the best hookers in world rugby.

“Playing against the All Blacks represents a special challenge because it means facing the best team in the world,” he said.

New Zealand centre Ryan Crotty, locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock and flankers Sam Cane and Liam Squire at home to rest ahead of a hectic upcoming schedule.

Luke Romano and Scott Barrett are the new locks and Vaea Fifita and Matt Todd join skipper and No 8 Kieran Read in the back row.

In the backline, winger Waisake Naholo replaces Nehe Milner-Skudder and Anton Lienert-Brown takes the place of Crotty in the midfield. – AFP