For all the respect of Argentina, the All Blacks have a prime chance to clinch their third straight Rugby Championship crown this weekend.
Sitting six points clear of the Springboks and Wallabies with two tests remaining, a bonus point victory in La Plata will secure them the title.
That scenario would give the Springboks no chance of challenging for the silverware in Johannesburg next week, regardless of their result against the Wallabies in Cape Town this weekend. And if history is any gauge, a bonus point win for the All Blacks appears the likely outcome.
In the 12 tests played between Argentina and New Zealand in the professional era the All Blacks have won by an average of 29.9 points. Over the last three years in the five Rugby Championship contests that figure drops to an average of 21.4 points - still a significant margin, however.
What's more, the All Blacks scored four tries or more in their last two visits to La Plata.
A combination of fine weather and the return of key forwards Sam Whitelock and Jerome Kaino also tend to suggest a strong chance of wrapping up the title one match early. That may, of course, be offset by the adjustments required from the backline following Beauden Barrett's and Malakai Fekitoa's promotion.
"Yeah we do. We certainly see that," Kieran Read said of the squad's ability to lock away the title this weekend.
"It would be a great outcome if we can get that with a bonus point win. Our focus is on performing well. We want to win and if we get the bonus point that would be ideal."
While the Pumas are improving, their desire this season to embrace a more expansive style has the danger of playing directly into the All Blacks' strengths.
Most teams to challenge Steve Hansen's side at their fast-paced game have been blown off the park. England and Australia were respectively punished once each for adopting these tactics this season. The English were wiped out in the first half before recovering in their third test 36-13 loss in Hamilton; the Wallabies were hammered 51-20 at Eden Park.
With that in mind, it was not difficult to sense the irony as assistant coach Ian Foster praised the Pumas' willingness to attack. Continuing in this fashion will certainly aid the All Blacks' lethal counter attacking threat and ability to push for four tries. Immediately switching from defence to attack and feeding on opposition mistakes is a notable weapon of this team's arsenal.
"Their strength is fast becoming their ability to attack in some different modes," Foster said of the Pumas.
"Particularly the two tests against South Africa they've shown they've become a lot more inventive in how they play. They've got some fast, skilful backs that are allowed to play now."
