Richie Mo’unga, Rieko Ioane and Ardie Savea were at their mercurial best as the All Blacks hammered Argentina in a rainy Hamilton on Saturday.

The All Blacks produced a vintage performance and a statement of intent as they displayed superior handling in wet conditions to run in seven tries to smash Argentina 53-3.

Coming into this clash, the All Blacks were under all sorts of pressure after Argentina won their first game ever in New Zealand last week. Another loss to Argentina would not only further blemish their impressive record against the Pumas, but it would also drop their World Rugby ranking to sixth, or even a potential seventh spot should the losing margin be more than 15 accompanied by a Wallabies loss against the Springboks.

The All Blacks were having none of it.

Prop Ethan de Groot crashed over for New Zealand’s first before great buildup play, in the form of a deft grubber from Mo’unga, worked them into a dangerous position, opening up Rieko Ioane, who put Caleb Clarke away in the corner. Mo’unga didn’t miss a beat off the tee, slotting both conversions to complement an early penalty.

Slick backline play translated into a try for Ioane as he went in under the posts to leave an easy conversion for Mo’unga, who obliged to secure a 24-3 half-time lead.

The Pumas stifled the All Blacks early in the second half, but even with Fletcher Newell sent to the bin for collapsing a maul, they couldn’t keep it up as New Zealand scored a spectacular coast-to-coast try, started by Ioane and finished by Jordie Barrett, to extend their lead to 34-3.

Universal rugby order restored for brilliant Boks and All Blacks

Ardie Savea, who sniped back at suggestions earlier this week that the Kiwi loose forwards have been dominated this year, put in one of his very best performances and was rewarded with a 67th-minute try.

Two more tries from replacements Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett pushed the score over the half-century mark to cap a compelling 53-3 victory.

Photo: All Blacks Twitter