The Stats Don't Lie: Argentina prove tough hosts

Tony Woodcock and Dan Carter are the only two remaining players who started against the Pumas when the All Blacks last played in Argentina in 2006. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The last time the All Blacks played a test match in Argentina was back in 2006, when they won 25-19. This will be the seventh test match the All Blacks have played on Argentinean soil, having won five games and drawn one.

Argentina have lost just one of their last seven test matches at home, which was a 49-10 loss to France in June this year.

In the last two test matches the All Blacks played in Argentina (2004 and 2006), on both occasions they had to come back from a half time deficit to win - and both victories were by margins of less than seven points.

The All Blacks have averaged 30 points in their last five test matches, and have conceded a low average of just seven points. So far in this year's Rugby Championship they have only conceded three tries.

Daniel Carter returns to the starting lineup, having missed the Wellington test match against Argentina due to injury. He is just five short of 500 points in the Tri Nations/Rugby Championship.

Carter and Tony Woodcock will be playing their 90th test matches this weekend, and are the only two remaining players who started against the Pumas when the All Blacks last played in Argentina in 2006. Ma'a Nonu and Andrew Hore were in the reserves for that game.

Andrew Hore will clock up his 70th test match when he takes the field this weekend. He will be looking to keep the All Blacks' lineout on song, as they lost just one of their seventeen throws when they took on Argentina in Wellington.

Richie McCaw will be playing his 44th Tri Nations/Rugby Championship game, which is a record for a New Zealand player. It sees him equal Victor Matfield's record for appearances, and puts him two games behind Nathan Sharpe and four games behind the all-time record holder George Gregan.

If the All Blacks can win this weekend it will be McCaw's 99th test victory.

The Pumas conceded a hefty 14 penalties and a yellow card in the Wellington test, as well as missing 60 tackles. In contrast, the All Blacks only conceded eight penalties and missed just five tackles.

Jaco Peyper will be making his first appearance as a referee in the Rugby Championship, and it will be his sixth test as an international referee. It is also the first time the All Blacks have had him as a referee in a test.