All Blacks channel defeat 'hurt' as Pumas hunt for Eden Park breakthrough

Ahead of their second Test tonight All Blacks captain Ardie Savea says his New Zealand team has spent the week "looking in the mirror" as they chase revenge against Argentina in The Rugby Championship.

Victory over the Pumas tonight will reverse last week's shock 38-30 defeat in Wellington and chalk up a 50th win for the All Blacks at Auckland's Eden Park since New Zealand last lost there in 1994.

Savea batted away questions about the 30-year unbeaten run, saying distractions played a part in their defeat last week, only their third loss to the Pumas in 38 meetings.

Savea says an All Blacks team does well when they are clear, physical, and light in the minds.

With wet weather forecast for the match, Savea said much of their focus this week had been on playing at the right end of the field, something they struggled to achieve against the ferocious Pumas defence.

Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi acknowledged New Zealand's 30 years of dominance at Eden Park and said his players would need to be mentally strong to overcome it.

Both of the Pumas' previous wins over the All Blacks in Sydney in 2020 and in Christchurch two years ago were followed by heavy defeats to the motivated New Zealanders.

Contepomi says it is important how they reply, because the previous two occasions, the All Blacks were far the better team.

Source: rugby.com.au