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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen evaluates team's hard-earned win against Pumas - 'wasn't perfect... but we did well'

September 8, 2018

Hansen said he was still happy with the 46-24 win despite the tough Test. (Source: Other)

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has given his men the seal of approval for tonight's performance against Argentina in Nelson, although he admits it wasn't a 100 per cent passing grade.

The All Blacks fought off a determined Pumas outfit to secure a 46-24 win, although late tries ballooned the scoreline of what was a close contest at Trafalgar Park.

But Hansen was philisophical in his review.

"If it had been our aim to get a bonus point and win the game, then we achieved that," he said.

"We also got the opportunity to blood some young men and got put under pressure by a good Argentina side but it wasn't the perfect performance by any stretch of the imagination."

Hansen said the thing that impressed him most was the team's ability to respond almost instantly after the Pumas scored.

"We showed a lot of strength of character," he said.

He was also pleased by the team's ability to adjust after losing key players Brodie Retallick and Ngani Laumape early in the contest to injuries.

"That has an effect on what you can do with your bench later in the game."

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