Given the circumstances, no-one's jaws sagged when the All Blacks overwhelmed Argentina 39-18 in Christchurch tonight.

The All Blacks weren't perfect - they are sure to look over their defensive structures after Argentina captain and hooker Agustin Creevy scored two tries from lineout drives in the second half - but there would have been a high-level of satisfaction about the way they allowed Richie McCaw and Dan Carter to farewell AMI Stadium as winners.

Daniel Carter charging down the field. Photos by Tracy Hardy.

The New Zealanders collected five tries, one to McCaw himself, and even replacement hooker Codie Taylor - having minutes earlier had a try disallowed - got into celebration mode by scoring a five-pointer on test debut.

But with all due respect to Taylor, or anyone else on the park, this wasn't about them. It was all about sending McCaw and Carter out on a top note.

No, it wasn't that but for long periods it was pretty close. A messy period mid-way through the second half resulted in the All Blacks losing their momentum, and that was when Creevy scored his tries, yet they regathered their thoughts and dominated the final 17 minutes to wrap-up the result.

One of the major highlights was the way rookie wing Waisake Naholo, before he limped off in the second half, proved he could look so comfortable at this level; he went close to scoring a try, took the high ball well and ran with supreme confidence.

All Blacks 39 (Richie McCaw, Ma'a Nonu, Charles Piutau, Kieran Read, Codie Taylor tries; Dan Carter 4 con, 2 pen) Argentina 18 (Agustin Creevy 2 tries; Nicolas Sanchez con, 2 pen). HT: 18-6.