Delay won't trip up All Blacks

The All Blacks' departure for Argentina may have been delayed by a day, but that won't be a major distraction for the world's top-ranked team.

New Zealand, requiring a bonus-point win against Argentina in Buenos Aires next Saturday for as third consecutive Rugby Championship title, are determined not to give up their amazing 21-match unbeaten run - dating back to December 2012.

Retired All Black coach Graham Henry suggested the Kiwis might get too used to winning and believes some adversity, namely a loss, might have benefits.

However, current All Black coach Steve Hansen - a long-time assistant of Henry - wants his team to continue improving without the need of a loss as a wake-up call.

Hansen help Henry steer New Zealand to the World Cup title in 2011.

The differing views on the All Blacks' incredible run come in the wake of a delay in the team's departure for Argentina.

The All Blacks now depart on Sunday, knowing a bonus-point win against the Pumas will guarantee them the Rugby Championship for another year.

But the world champions believe it's only a matter of time before the Pumas beat one of the Southern Hemisphere's super powers - and they don't want it to be them.

For Richie McCaw's men, this is arguably the biggest two-week road trip in all of professional rugby.

"You just learn for a couple of days you've got to get over the travel, you have to be mentally engaged, come Saturday you are usually feeling pretty good and there's no excuses," he told 3 News.

Hansen says the Pumas are a genuine threat and it's only a matter of time before they get their first win in the rugby championship.

"The more they play and have to challenge themselves to improve their skill sets and the physicality that comes with those skill sets gives them a great opportunity of beating any one of us," he says.

Hansen is refuting the notion the All Blacks need a loss before next year's World Cup.

"You find the inconvenient facts, so to speak, are a lot easier when you are hurting," he says.

"But what we've tried to do over the last few years is try and find those things that make a difference to your performance when you are winning, so you don't have to lose."

Winning in Argentina and South Africa in the space of the week is mission improbable - but then, the All Blacks have done it before.

Henry points to the way New Zealand bounced back from the huge disappointment a 12-all draw with Australia in August - a result that ended hopes of a record 18th successive Test win - to thrash the Wallabies 51-20 a week later.

Hansen says he understands what Henry is saying and agrees that teams do dig deeper when they lose.

But he questions why they can't do that when they're winning.

"You find the inconvenient facts, so to speak, a lot easier when you're hurting," he said on Saturday.

"But what we've tried to do over the last few years is find those things that make a difference to your performance when you're winning, so you don't have to lose."

Since Hansen took over after the last World Cup, the All Blacks have won 22 of their 25 Tests, with just a solitary loss to England and two draws against Australia.

They have taken out the Rugby Championship both times since the competition's inception and are top of the table again ahead of their Test against Argentina in La Plata in next week's penultimate round.

"As long as we are honest in our reviews and our systems, and we're strong enough in our beliefs that we're challenging ourselves enough, then I don't believe you have to lose," Hansen said.

"History tells us you get better when you lose, but why can't we change history and get better when we win?

"I'm not saying we're not going to lose. We may well lose a game, or two or three games, but I'd rather not."

Skipper Richie McCaw said the reality was that players probably tended to look deeper after a defeat.

But the All Blacks prided themselves on focusing on the little things without having to lose.

"Every time we go out there, we want to win and be better than before," he said.

"Hopefully, we don't have to go through the pain of losing to learn the lessons that you have to keep learning as you go."

Source: 3 News