15. Ben Smith: 8
The most underrated player in world rugby? He won’t be after this tournament. Absolute class in every facet of the game. His early flick through the legs to Savea was a standout moment.

14. Nehe Milner-Skudder: 6
Oozes class and looks completely comfortable in such illustrious company, but docked a mark for bombing a try from an SBW offload. Always seems to make good decisions and has time on the ball.

13. Conrad Smith: 5
Took one for the team under his own posts and will have no complaints about the decision. Still runs on the shoulder better than almost anyone in the game.

12. Ma’a Nonu: 5
Another who couldn’t hit his usual heights. Didn’t provide the usual gainline busts or devastating offloads. Will be under pressure now for his starting spot.

11. Julian Savea: 5
Largely anonymous, even when he went looking for work inside. Well marshalled by the significantly slighter Santiago Cordero.

10. Daniel Carter: 6
Didn’t make too many dreadful errors, but couldn’t quite manage the game and keep it structured, which would have minimised the Argentine threat. Another who improved significantly after the break, putting Argentina under consistent territorial and scoreboard pressure.

9. Aaron Smith: 8.5
Showcased an outstanding running game to go with his slick service and varied decision-making. Great footwork on one break and was the catalyst for New Zealand regaining momentum when others around him were losing their heads.

1. Tony Woodcock: 5
Tough outing for the veteran loosehead. Was part of a pack that struggled in the scrum in the first 50. Will need to improve in the knockouts.

2. Dane Coles: 6
Undistinguished, with one or two wobbly lineout throws. Hoovered up plenty of loose balls which resulted from wayward offloading. Couldn’t get his dangerous carrying game going.

3. Owen Franks: 4
Was given a rough ride by the imperious Ayerza, and it affected his ability to get into the game in other areas. Must improve quickly.

4. Brodie Retallick: 6
A way off his unplayable best, but had enough composure about him to overcome the Argentine onslaught. One or two mediocre offloads. More to come from him.

5. Samuel Whitelock: 6
With Romano breathing down his neck, he would have hoped for a more commanding performance. Did the hard work at the breakdown and looks a handful in the wide areas but far from his best display.

6. Jerome Kaino: 6
His usual physicality was blunted by a committed Pumas effort. Still a high class operator, but was severely tested by an outstanding Argentine loose trio. Vito offered more dynamic carrying as a replacement.

7. Richie McCaw: 5
Had a disastrous first 40, with a completely needless trip which resulted in a yellow card. One of the signs of McCaw’s descent from his peak of four or five years ago has been how much more often his pushing the envelope gets noticed. Showed his quality to steady the ship in the second half.

8. Kieran Read: 6
Like his colleagues, had a tough first 40, but steadily improved. Couldn’t provide his usual threat in the 15 metre channels, and got little change in the tight. Still looks a class act even when things weren’t quite going for him.

Replacements: 8
This is where New Zealand won the game. Sonny Bill Williams looked more dangerous in his cameo than anyone else on the pitch for the duration of the game. Sam Cane finished an easy try and along with Victor Vito kept the relentless pave of the game going, which sapped Argentinian energy.

By Patrick Cheshire (@jpcheshire)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images