Analysis: The word 'passion' had been mentioned many, many times by the All Blacks over the past fortnight in Argentina.
Unfortunately, they were using it as a verbal crutch with media to describe the Pumas and the local supporters, rather than taking it on board themselves.
Just a bit of actual passion would've gone a long way in their ultimately humiliating 29-23 loss at Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires, up until now the scene of such comfortable All Black victories that they should have installed a set of couches in the in-goal.
This was remarkably, horrifyingly different. Stung by last weekend's loss in Córdoba, Argentina came flying back at Scott Robertson's side with reinvigorated ferocity. The accuracy on discipline was certainly secondary in Felipe Contepomi's gameplan, but as long as you let a team like the Pumas consistently punch you in the mouth for that long, you won't have anything to bite back with.
Sevu Reece reflects on defeat to Argentina. Photo: Juan Gasparini / Photosport
That's what happened to the All Blacks, after a fairly decent first half an hour that yielded two very good tries to Billy Proctor and Fletcher Newell.
Much will be made of the three subsequent yellow cards, but for a while there, the All Blacks seemed likely to survive the double loss of Will Jordan and Tupou Vaa'i.
While that period with 13 men only gave up one Santiago Carreras penalty goal, the long-term effect ultimately cost them. Heavy legs from the extra defending took their toll, then a surprisingly ineffective bench contribution couldn't arrest the situation.
Another favoured saying these days is letting teams 'come through the front door', as in attacking as directly as possible. The All Blacks didn't just have that to worry about that - it was what their uninvited guests did once they crossed the threshold, succumbing to a frenzied Pumas attitude that turned the breakdown into a test-rugby abattoir.
The carnage left the All Blacks drowning in their own blood and viscera, with their big men seemingly too shocked to haul the effort back to the surface.
Referee Nic Berry handed out three yellow cards against the All Blacks. Photo: Juan Gasparini / Photosport
Twenty-three penalties were awarded in the match - with a pretty damning note that 13 of them were awarded to the All Blacks. They couldn't do an awful lot with what they got given, seemingly figured out by a Pumas side that more than doubled the amount of post-contact metres the All Blacks achieved.
Refereeing will will always be discussed, after such a whistle and card-heavy performance, but in Berry's defence, the broadcast didn't do him any favours by lacking key incident replays. All you can ask from a ref is consistency and you certainly didn't need any help to see the All Blacks took far too long to adapt to his strict offside calls, although the aggressive defence off the line by the Pumas was almost certainly intentional.
It didn't matter if some of the calls were questionable, anyway. The All Blacks didn't deserve to win and the ignominy of Damian McKenzie having to line up a shot at goal to secure a bonus point, while the Pumas had already started celebrating, should feel galling and hateful, something that needs to motivate them for when South Africa arrive in Auckland for their next test match.
Scott Robertson shakes hands with Pablo Matera. Photo: Juan Gasparini / Photosport
If Coach Robertson wants to salvage any consolation from this one, at least he played a hand in the development of the All Blacks' main tormentor. Pablo Matera, who won a Super Rugby title at Robertson's Crusaders. Fittingly, the giant blindside - who often plays with a psychotic disposition, once his mood has been sufficiently dialled in - played a key role in Gonzalo García's crucial try, after he ploughed his way towards the line off a brave Pumas scrum call.
He was one of many home side heroes. Carreras came off the bench to influence the game dramatically, Santiago Chocobares did his best impression of a human battering ram in midfield and the tight five answered a lot of criticism, after the All Blacks' set-piece dominance last weekend.
If there's any consolation in general, the result has blown the Rugby Championship wide open. All teams now have a win and a loss, the first time that's ever happened through the first fortnight and making a serious case as the most interesting international men's tournament this year already.
