Pumas contest part of crucial World Cup lead-up

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw on attack against Argentina during the Investec rugby test match at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. 08 September 2012. New Zealand Herald photograph by Mark Mitchell

Massive gaps are a potential blight on the All Blacks' path towards the World Cup.

Those intervals appear on several fronts with a four-test hit until the All Blacks start the tournament on September 20 against Argentina, before the quality of their rivals sinks as they approach the playoffs.

After the motley start to this season against Samoa in Apia, tonight must be about picking up some rhythm against the Pumas in Christchurch. In 65 days, the All Blacks and Pumas will suit up again for their opening-round clash at Wembley as both teams begin their Rugby World Cup campaigns.

Once that's over, the All Blacks will be untroubled to win the rest of their pool games with Namibia, Georgia and Tonga as they will receive some inspections in various parts of their game. Defence, discipline and detail will have to be the All Blacks' code as they battle themselves more than their opponents.

This next month will sort out the guts of the All Blacks' planning for the tournament.

The coaches will sift players' abilities in the team environment, the selectors will examine their demands against production, injuries will arrive while the 41 in camp are whittled down by 10 for the World Cup.

First up is the reaction against the Pumas tonight, with a significant chunk of their top line-up settling in to bring a combative approach. They like to scrum, they fancy their lineout and if they watched last week, they should have a lick at the rolling maul.

At one stage last week, Samoa hid the ball in the back of a rolling maul and rumbled their way downfield. Progress was no problem and you imagined rugby scouts from the Northern Hemisphere noting that in heavy letters in their Cup dossiers.

They'll be hoping the Pumas bash out that tactic again so they get another perspective on any All Black vulnerability, while the hosts will expect it and have plans to counter in this Rugby Championship start.

The Pumas and coach Daniel Hourcade have been in camp for several weeks working on fitness, skills and tactics to take through this championship into the World Cup. They have left several senior players at home to recover fully from their latest club seasons and have promoted some younger talent.

"We trust them and want to evaluate them and see their performances for the World Cup," the coach said.

"The Rugby Championship is one of the most important tournaments in the world and demanding. It's true there is a World Cup this year, but now it's time to put all the focus on this tournament and make the most of what's to come. "

Since the Pumas entered the Rugby Championship in 2012, they have played 18 tests against the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies, and have won one and drawn one.