Conrad Smith has said he was "just counting the score" as he sat in the sin-bin during the All Blacks' opening Rugby World Cup win over Argentina.

The last man remaining in the TAB's One Punt at a Million competition to be eliminated has won a trip to the Rugby World Cup semi-final and final.

As this tournament progresses, the All Blacks' opening performance could be seen as more impressive than it originally appeared, writes Gregor Paul.

The TAB's Punt at a Million competition has come to a premature end

Kieran Read and Sonny Bill Williams led from the front for the All Blacks in their win over Argentina.

Video slideshow of photos from the game at Wembley Stadium. Photos/Brett Phibbs

He put his team under pressure and let them down - but the All Black captain hasn't suddenly turned to the dark side, writes Gregor Paul.

Chris Rattue rates the player performances in the All Blacks' 26-16 win over Argentina this morning.

The 2015 Rugby World Cup has roared into life with a huge upset (and a narrow escape for the ABs).

This wasn't so much a bullet dodged by the All Blacks, but a blue-and-white striped missile.

It took composure, resilience and all the qualities we have come to expect from this All Black team, writes Gregor Paul.

Watch a recap of the live chat with Herald rugby expert Wynne Gray following the All Blacks win over Argentina this morning.

Argentinian rugby fan Jose Gerardo Caballero wasn't counting on getting any sleep in a nerve-wracking countdown to this morning's Rugby World Cup clash between the Pumas and the All....

Steve Hansen says the last week feels like it has lasted four years as he awaits the All Blacks' World Cup opener.

Remember it's the new game in town. After weeks of window-dressing about team arrivals, hypothetical discussions and likely combinations, the World Cup begins.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has named his strongest lineup for the World Cup opener against Argentina.

It's jumping ahead a bit, but later this year, who knows, maybe the story will start on a cold winter's night in Christchurch with the All Blacks playing Argentina.

Different conditions, different attitude - if you want to know why the All Blacks put the squeeze on Argentina last night, look no further than numbers one to eight.

Chris Rattue runs the rule over the All Blacks and Argentina after their Rugby Championship clash in Christchurch on Friday night.

He has now played 103 tests, and has scored a record 1477 test points, but there is little Dan Carter takes for granted as far as the All Blacks are concerned.

Ahead of the All Blacks' opening Rugby Championship game of the year, we look at all the stats you need to know.

As rugged as the Pumas are likely to be, the All Blacks' main opponent may be the growing anxiety that's settled in camp ahead of the looming World Cup cull.

Fresh from winning a Super Rugby title, Waisake Naholo's year just keeps getting better.

Further alarm bells are ringing for Super Rugby next year as Argentina enlarge their ideas even more, warns Wynne Gray.