Which All Black are we most excited to see tonight? Waisake Naholo on debut? Ma'a Nonu coming off his best season of Super Rugby? TJ Perenara handed a rare start in the No9 jersey? Brodie Retallick in his first test start since being named world player of the year?
Argentina have left their dressing room and are making their way to the middle. We are close.
Just a reminder that Lionel Messi beat Lydia Ko for the ESPY award for best international athlete this week – a big motivator for the All Blacks.
Anthem time. Steve, you're the anthem expert. Your take?
The anthems are under way and first up is Anna Hoetjes belting out the Argentinian ditty. It's got a real operatic feel, big instrumental opening then Hoetjes comes in strong. Boy did she deliver. One of the great anthem renditions of our time. First blood to the Argies.
In response, Stan Walker. He's gone with a sultry take, slow start but builds nicely. Still felt a bit flat to me after the Hoetjes effort though. Stan definitely has a few work-ons. Argentina take the early singing spoils.
Just five, having lost at Ellis Park last October.
Haka time. Steve assures me he's 1/16th Maori and, therefore, also the haka expert.
Liam Messam is the man in the middle of the ABs Haka and he's doing a bloody good job. Even Dan Carter looks menacing. Big finish, strong facials, everyone looks fired up. Lets get this started.
No. The teams have met 20 times - 19 wins to the All Blacks and one draw. Is that about to change?
We definitely won the Haka. So I guess that makes it 1-1...
Here we go. Kick off is moments away.
Argentina take the kickoff cleanly and immediately look to spread it.
They clear now with a box kick from Tomas Cubelli.
Taken by Dagg and the ABs have their first possession.
First touch for Naholo, an offload to Nonu.
SBW has spilled an attempted offload from Dagg and we'll have the game's first scrum.
Tough pass but Williams probably should have grasped it.
Argentina with the feed right on halfway.
Big scrum from the ABs but Argentina eventually clear.
They kick down to Piutau who finds touch near halfway.
A nice little move from Argentina and they've looked very settled so far with ball in hand.
Lobbe knocks down the lineout and Argentina keep it around it fringes.
Argentina will be happy with this start. Four minutes in and they have dominated possession and are looking comfortable with ball in hand in midfield.
Argentina kick and it's charged by Read but Argentina recover the rebound.
Won by Richie McCaw, appropriately enough, after Argentina were isolated at the ruck.
Dan Carter will now have a shot at goal.
The conditions are perfect and it's almost in front. 40m out. Three points in the bag, methinks.
Just. He grazed the right upright but it sneaked over.
Romano takes down the kick off and Perenara with the box kick.
Carter's kick seemed to drift in slow motion. It was over 40m out but judged to perfection.
Which All Black are we most excited to see tonight? Waisake Naholo on debut? Ma'a Nonu coming off his best season of Super Rugby? TJ Perenara handed a rare start in the No9 jersey? Brodie Retallick in his first test start since being named world player of the year?
Evening Steven and all, Well after a great super season its time for the International season. Hoping we get a goos start tonight. As an Ex ChCh lad Will be looking forward to match and even watching it on replay. Hi to my Brother in Aussie how always watches Steven's Blog as well.
The anthems are under way and first up is Anna Hoetjes belting out the Argentinian ditty. It's got a real operatic feel, big instrumental opening then Hoetjes comes in strong. Boy did she deliver. One of the great anthem renditions of our time. First blood to the Argies.