Argentina 10 New Zealand 36
Holders New Zealand celebrated their fifth Rugby Championship in six years with four tries in a devastating first half to beat Argentina 36-10 at Velez Sarsfield on Saturday.
The All Blacks had retained their crown earlier in the day when South Africa were left without a chance of catching them in their final meeting next week after being held to a 27-27 draw by Australia in Bloemfontein.
Captain Kieran Read scored two tries as his team led 29-3 at the interval but earned one of two All Black yellow cards, the other going to Matt Todd, in a ragged second half for his team as the Pumas recovered from their poor, undisciplined first half when they had lock Tomas Lavanini sin binned.
Wing Waisake Naholo and fullback Damian McKenzie also scored first half tries as Argentina replied with a try from 80-cap veteran Juan Manuel Leguizamon and kept the All Blacks out until debutant David Havili went over for his side's fifth after the fulltime hooter.
"We ended up with a half of rugby that we aren't overly excited about," New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said.
"But we've got some great lessons out of it for a young group of players ... losing your skipper was great for us because we ended up needing someone to lead the team.
"I'm very proud we came here and played very well in the first half and did things right. It's a difficult place to play."
All Blacks lockwill miss the final Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks next week after his wife Niki suffered a pregnancy loss, the team said on Sunday.
Retallick was one of six players who did not travel to Buenos Aires for the clash with Argentina and the group were scheduled to go directly to South Africa.
The other players - Sam Cane, Sam Whitelock, Liam Squire, Lima Sopoaga and Ryan Crotty - had all arrived in South Africa, while Retallick remained in New Zealand.
"Brodie and his wife Niki have lost their baby boy prematurely, which is incredibly sad news," coach Steve Hansen said in a statement on the team's Facebook page.
"As a result, Brodie will stay home with Niki and rejoin the team when the time is right.
"We're really feeling for them at this sad time and our thoughts are with them and their families."
Hansen added that Vaea Fifita, Ngani Laumape, Waisake Naholo, Luke Romano and Ardie Savea would return home from Argentina.
