Rugby Championship
Hansen content with defeat of Pumas
September 28, 2014
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The All Blacks celebrate with the champions trophy of The Rugby Championship, Argentina v New Zealand, The Rugby Championship, Ciudad de La Plata Stadium, September 27, 2014
New Zealand wrapped up the Rugby Championship with one Test still to play © Getty Images
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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is satisfied with what he calls a workmanlike win over Argentina as he eyes a step up against the Springboks.

New Zealand retained their unbeaten record in the Rugby Championship with a 34-13 victory at La Plata, clinching a third successive title regardless of the result of Saturday's final Test in Johannesburg.

"Pretty good - good enough to get the job done, anyway," was Hansen's immediate reaction to a performance in which they were never seriously threatened.

The title was secured when they scored a fourth bonus point try through reserve scrum-half TJ Perenara 15 minutes from full-time. However, Hansen says a bonus point wasn't on their mind from the outset.

"You go in there with the attitude you're going to score four tries, then you're going in with the wrong attitude," he said. "These guys are better than that, the Pumas. First and foremost, we went in respecting them and to play our own game, and if that was good enough for four tries, that would be good."

New Zealand were never threatened by Argentina (Video in Australia only)
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Hansen was pleased with how his team scrambled out of trouble several times against a Pumas side he says are becoming adept at building pressure. He was also happy to hand debut hooker Nathan Harris his first nine minutes of Test rugby off the reserves bench, replacing veteran Keven Mealamu.

An eye injury to prop Wyatt Crockett is unlikely to rule him out of the Springboks Test but Hansen was less confident about lock Brodie Retallick, who also left the game in the 53rd minute. Retallick suffered suspected concussion and will require further tests.

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