Owen Franks Doubtful for All Blacks against Boks!

UPDATE - Owen Franks has been ruled out of the All Blacks' next game against the Boks with a thigh injury - no replacement has been brought in while Charlie Faumuina is expected to take his place against the Boks in the Rugby Championship decider next Saturday.

It was a scrappy affair for much of the All Blacks' test against Argentina in La Plata as conditions - and Los Pumas' spoiling tactics - made running rugby a bit of a challenge for 50 minutes of the game.

Indeed, Julian Savea's try in the first half was a bit of a fluke as Los Pumas seemed to stop playing and pursuing Savea who couldn't quite believe his luck that he was going to score the easiest try of his ABs career.

The ABs led 11-9 as a result but it was quite difficult to watch.

Whatever Steve Hansen said in the sheds at halftime must have worked as the ABs suddenly discovered holes in the Los Pumas defence, with Ben Smith finding holes and scoring twice - to make it 7 tries in the Rugby Championship this season for the Otago utility back.

In fact, it was Ben Smith who deservedly completed his brace in the last minute of the game to hand the ABs a vital bonus point for scoring 4 tries. This will be vital going into what will be the decider for the Rugby Championship in Johannesburg next week - the Boks who beat Australia 23-8 will now need to score 4 tries and win just to have any chance of taking the title on points difference.

For some time, after Ben Smith got his first try, it looked like the ABs would choke like Team New Zealand when it came to finishing off the job, with chances going begging at scoring that 4th try as they comfortably led the Pumas 26-12, then 26-15.

Alas, unlike Dean Barker's men, the ABs have always shown to be clinical and Ben Smith's try will surely seal another trophy for the cabinet at HQ in Molesworth Street.

So, a scrappy win but a win nevertheless. As they always say, a champion side knows how to win pretty and ugly.

Man of the Match - Ben Smith had a superb game finding holes in the Pumas defence late in the game but my vote goes to Sam Cane who tackled his heart out and never let the Pumas reach the game line - got a deserved try. Richie who?