New Zealand set up a mouth-watering Rugby World Cup semi-final showdown against Australia with a 33-10 win over Argentina in Auckland on Sunday.
Piri Weepu stepped into the void left by the absence of Dan Carter to land seven penalty goals and blunt a determined Pumas outfit.
Argentina landed the first try through Julio Farias Cabello but four penalties from Weepu's boot kept the host nation in front 12-7 at half-time.
After the interval Argentina pulled it back to 12-10 thanks to a penalty from Marcelo Bosch, but that was as close are the South Americans could get as New Zealand surged ahead.
Two more Weepu penalties and a try from Kieran Read put the result beyond doubt, and when Brad Thorn crossed late and Aaron Cruden converted, New Zealand ran out comfortable winners.
The match proved to be a baptism of fire for third-choice fly-half Cruden, who was drafted into the squad following Dan Carter's injury and then substituted into the match when Colin Slade was forced from the field after 30 minutes with a groin injury.
Mils Muliaina's 100th game was disappointing after he was forced out at half-time with a left shoulder injury.
New Zealand opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Weepu landed a penalty goal, before he slotted another 13 minutes later to give them an early advantage.
Argentina responded six minutes later through Cabello, with captain Felipe Contepomi converting for the Pumas to gain the lead.
However, a minute later Contepomi was penalised for a head high tackle on Cruden, who had just replaced the injured Slade, and Weepu regained the lead for New Zealand.
Five minutes into the second half centre Bosch landed a superb 52m penalty goal but three minutes later, more Argentina problems at the ruck allowed Weepu to land his fifth penalty goal.
New Zealand mounted a lengthy siege of the Argentine line and Richie McCaw attempted to ground the ball at the base of the post but a non-try was ruled by the TMO.
But in the action halfback Nicolas Vergallo was ruled to have made a professional foul and was sin-binned.
Weepu landed his sixth penalty goal in the 58th minute before closing out the match late in the half.
Match facts:
The All Blacks have crossed for a try in each of their last 94 Test matches.
New Zealand made more than four times as many passes as Argentina during the 80 minutes (186 v 40).
Except defeats to France and Tri-Nations teams, New Zealand have not lost a Test match against any other side since 2003, with the last such defeat coming against England.
New Zealand scored more penalties against Argentina (7) than in any of their previous 40 World Cup matches.
Cory Jane made 112 metres with the ball in hand in this match, more than any other player in the game.
Follow ITV Rugby on Twitter
Sign up for our ITV Rugby email alerts
Like ITV Rugby on Facebook