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AUCKLAND. — It must be galling for the other three teams in the Rugby Championship when New Zealand roll out of a 51-20 humbling of the world’s third best team with a shrug of the shoulders and a “yeah, it was good, but it could be better”. That, of course, is the drive for perfection that has made the All Blacks utterly dominant in world rugby — a dominance that looks unlikely to be challenged when the southern hemisphere championship resumes after a bye week next Saturday.

The world champions, who host Argentina in Napier, have maintained radio silence this week having said all they wanted with their six-try humbling of the Wallabies at Eden Park last Saturday.

Challenged by their coaches to silence talk of a decline after a 12-12 draw in Sydney in their championship opener, the world champions responded with a ruthless demonstration of power rugby built on an awesome display by their tight five.

“They wanted us to really dominate them, we had to go to a few dark places but I think we did that,” hooker Dane Coles told reporters after the match in Auckland.
“We drew a line in the sand and we’ll just have to keep on improving. I don’t want another kick up the backside, it’s just a matter of personal pride.”

If nothing else, the All Blacks will need another big performance from their pack against the Pumas, who bossed the Springboks at scrum time in their 33-31 loss to South Africa in Salta last weekend. — AFP