Read says he is 'good to go'
All Black captain Kieran Read expects to be leading the side on the field for Saturday's Rugby Championship Test against Argentina.
Read sat out training on Thursday, but said he was "good to go" ahead of the match in La Plata.
"Feeling a lot better today," Read said.
"Probably not a hundy [hundred percent] quite yet, so might just take it a little bit easier today [Saturday].
"But feeling a lot better."
The No.8 says it's not ideal preparation.
"I think you want to be out there on the training paddock as much as you can.
"But I've been around a long time, so can slip back in when it's needed.
"So it's more mental from here on in."
Read says he doesn't feel any extra pressure to play with cover thin on the ground.
"Not really. I'll play if I'm ready, and if not, probably not. Right now I feel great, hopefully it continues that way.
"So it'll just be business as usual."
Chiefs flank Tanerau Latimer is travelling to link up with the squad in time for the match in La Plata.
The All Blacks have won 16 of 17 Tests against Argentina.
The one exception was their second meeting, in 1985, which was drawn 21-21 in Buenos Aires.
A rollicking win in Argentina last year will be ignored by the All Blacks, who anticipate a far stiffer challenge in the Rugby Championship Test at La Plata.
The winless Pumas host the unbeaten All Blacks at the same venue where they lost 15-54 last year, a match that underlined the world champion New Zealanders' ability to strike on counter-attack as they roared over seven tries.
Both sides will start with 11 players who began that Test but All Blacks coach Steve Hansen expects the attitude of the hosts to be different.
A year ago they set out with an expansive approach, a style of play that didn't come naturally and they found themselves trailing 32-8 at halftime.
The Pumas traditionally base their game around muscular forward play and Hansen says transforming their approach will continue to take time.
"They're a better side this year than last, but I still don't think they've found the game they want to play," Hansen said.
"They're looking to change and when they get that to click they're going to be a very good side. I think we caught them unawares last year and we won't have that luxury this time."
It was a tighter affair when the teams met at a rain-hit Hamilton three weeks ago.
Conditions and Argentina's strong scrum and defensive line restricted New Zealand's attacking options in a 28-13 win.
Since then, Argentina pushed the Wallabies close before losing 14-13 in Perth while the All Blacks emerged 29-15 winners from a torrid clash with South Africa in Auckland.
Hansen was thankful for the week off last week to ease a number of player niggles but remains without his two biggest stars due to injury – captain Richie McCaw and playmaker Dan Carter.
Sources: Newstalk ZB & NZ Newswire
