Pumas to compete on 'equal terms'
Having already given South Africa a fright, Argentina are determined to prove they are not just home town performers.
The Pumas will go head-to-head with the All Blacks in Wellington, in Round Three of the Rugby Championship on Saturday, determined to again show they are not there just to make up the numbers.
In the words of captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe are confident they can raise their game to where they are on par with the world's top-ranked team – New Zealand.
The Argentine team arrived in Wellington on Sunday, following a journey that lasted more than 34 hours – the result of delays encountered at the airport of Santiago on Chile.
However, not even this little travel hiccup could put them off their stride.
"It really was a pretty long trip, but we're glad we finally arrived," said hooker Eusebio Guiñazu.
He felt that not even the 15 time zones they travelled through will be able to take away the excitement ahead of taking on the Kiwis in New Zealand.
"We know it [time zones] is an important issue, but we have taken some precautions and we are confident we will adapt quickly."
And to counter the fatigue factor, they have changed their training regime. Monday is a recovery day for the Pumas.
They will return to the training field on Tuesday.
Despite facing the world's foremost team the Pumas believe they can match the Kiwis – just as they did the Boks in their last encounter.
"It will be a very, very difficult game," Fernandez Lobbe said.
"However, we have arrived with the confidence that we can win, and we want to move forward. We are well aware of just how difficult it is going to be … it is an incredible challenge."
Asked if it is a much bigger challenge than facing South Africa, the Pumas captain said they have to put that behind them.
"This is a very a tough game in itself, they are the World Cup champions," he said, adding: "We have to put the game against South Africa [a 16-all draw in Mendoza] behind us continue preparing for the encounter with the All Blacks … which will be very intense.
He felt it is too early to estimate how much they have gained and how much growth there has been since having joined the Rugby Championship.
"We won't be able to say until we have played all six games. In our debut against South Africa we played well, but we lost by 21 points [6-27]. But we improved [to draw] in the return match and every day we are one step closer.
"We are looking to grow in each of the games. We're growing every day, and that's great."
Although they had respected for New Zealand, a "great" team, he felt they are not simply going to roll over for the Kiwis.
"We seek to improve every game and it is always more fun to win," Fernandez Lobbe said.
"Yes, it will be a very, very difficult game.
"However, we always go out with the belief that we can win."
They also have fond memories of Wellington – where they knocked over Scotland in a World Cup Pool B match in September last year.
* Meanwhile flyhalf Juan Martin Hernandez, who missed the second Test against South Africa with a hamstring injury, has been named in the 28-man squad that arrived in Wellington on Sunday.
The squad also features the return of Juan Manuel Leguizamón (stomach injury) and Agustín Creevy (fractured rib).
Argentina squad: Horacio Agulla, Patricio Albacete, Marcos Ayerza, Marcelo Bosch, Martín Bustos Moyano, Maximiliano Bustos, Gonzalo Camacho, Rafael Carballo, Manuel Carizza, Agustín Creevy, Julio Alfredo Farias Cabello, Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe (captain), Santiago Fernandez, Juan Figallo, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Eusebio Guiñazu, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan José Imhoff, Martin Landajo, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Leonardi, Juan Pablo Orlandi, Martin Rodriguez, Rodrigo Roncero, Federico Nicolás Sanchez, Leonardo Vicente Senatore, Tomas Vallejos, Nicolás Vergallo.
