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Argentina will be a World Cup powerhouse and Mo'unga just needs more time: Five things from All Blacks v Pumas

Steve Hansen and Ian Foster said the young first-five will learn from the experience.

With the dust settling on Nelson's first All Blacks Test, a couple of important lessons surfaced from last night's 46-24 win - and it wasn't just from the hometown heroes.

1. Nelson is an international rugby venue

What an atmosphere in Trafalgar Park! How it took so long for Nelson to get an All Blacks Test is beyond me (considering they hosted Rugby World Cup matches in 2011!) but the community followed up on their warm hospitality from throughout the week with a great turn out last night.

Sold out crowd. Sea of black. Great weather and a great pitch. Can you ask for much more?

Kieran Read and Steve Hansen have already expressed interest in returning to Nelson and you can't really blame them after the week they had - Read has a Key to the City from the mayor now too so he should be able to get back in!

2. The All Blacks forward pack is a dominant force right now

Frizell had a big outing against Argentina which he topped off with a try in front of his adopted hometown fans.

They've always been a strong pack but last night was a big statement at set piece. Karl Tu'inukuafe's presence in the front row led to two big shoves and he was rewarded with penalties. It wasn't just him but for a first Test start, it deserved a mention. 

But considering how early they lost Brodie Retallick and the notoriously-physical pack they were up against in the Pumas, the forwards last night delivered a big platform.

3. Richie Mo’unga just needs more time

Let's be honest. It wasn't the dream performance many were hoping for. It probably didn't help that Beauden Barrett had a four-try performance against the Wallabies before handing over the No.10 jersey too.

But it was apparent from the early penalty kick that failed to find touch the Crusader was fielding some nerves and it didn't help the man outside him he trained with all week, Ngani Laumape, was gone early in the match too.

Hansen and Foster have already stated they didn't expect a world class performance in the match but emphasised after the match what was important.

"We'll go through and review some of the decisions, how he felt, how he saw things, the work ons and the learnings from that."

Good things take time, people.

4. Argentina will be a powerhouse at next year’s World Cup

Mario Ledesma says some players had faith but the squad on the whole is yet to see their potential.

The scoreline really isn't a reflection of how well the Pumas played last night. In all fairness, it was probably one of the All Blacks' hardest Tests to date this year.

And most of it has to do with the stellar backline Ledesma has moulded.

Between the back three all shining at different moments in the night with breaks and Nico Sánchez continuing to hone his playmaking style at No.10, this Pumas outfit showed last night they can go toe-to-toe with the world's best.

If they can steal a win in Australia next week, which they absolutely can, they'll be well on their way to another strong World Cup run in Japan next year.

Thank goodness they're not in our pool for once.

5. It's scary how much depth we have in NZ

Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi made his first appearance in the black jersey last night.

Think about it. Shannon Frizell in his second Test dazzled in front of his adopted hometown last night. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi officially became an All Black and capped off his debut with a no-look pass that set up a stellar late try. We've already discussed Tu'inukuafe.

And then you have guys like Damian McKenzie coming off the bench.

The programme Hansen and Co. have set up to nurture and develop not just a stellar All Blacks XV but rather an entire squad is something to be marvelled and will surely help us in Japan next year.

Even with injuries to the likes of Retallick (speedy recovery!), we're able to call in guys like Patrick Tuipulotu who turned back the clock on Friday night with a hat-trick against Tasman.

In summary, we're a darn good rugby union nation.

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