New Zealand beat Pumas to win Rugby Championship
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LA PLATA, Argentina (AP) - A Cory Jane hat-trick led New Zealand to a dominant 54-15 victory over Argentina on Saturday to secure the Rugby Championship title for the world champions.
Julian Savea added two tries - bringing his tally to five tries in five tests - as the All Blacks overpowered Argentina, which has yet to win in five matches in the new four-nation championship.
The victory gave the defending World Cup champions an unassailable nine-point lead atop the standings with one round of matches to go in the tournament, allowing them to add the first Rugby Championship trophy to the Bledisloe Cup and Webb Ellis Cup.
It was the 15th-straight victory for the All Blacks, who have also won 15 of 16 matches against Argentina. The other match was a draw. It was also their most lopsided victory against Argentina in Argentina, larger than a 36-6 victory in 1991.
