OPINION: Good on Richie McCaw for making the smart call about taking some time out of the game and good on the various parties in New Zealand rugby who have allowed this special player to invoke his special clause.

There really is no downside to this decision by the All Blacks captain to take six months off next year to recharge his batteries and refresh his mind.

Unless you're a Crusaders fan, and you're contemplating the prospect of the best player in the game missing for most of the campaign.

But even then it's not exactly the end of the world.

The Crusaders have a pretty able backup in the form of Matt Todd and it appears McCaw may even make a return for the post-June part of the season.

In some ways the knowledge they won't have McCaw for the first, and most significant, section of the Super Rugby season will at least allow Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder to plan with some certainty.

Previously he's had McCaw coming into the fold late, still nursing injuries, and often still in need of further refreshing.

I don't have any problem with McCaw missing the three tests in June. It's a small price to pay for giving this guy the space he needs to gather himself for one more run in the black jersey.

McCaw has earned the right to take this break. The sight of him still performing at such an incredibly high level in his 110th, and most recent, test was a testament to that.

The man is a marvel but he's still human. So, given the battering his body takes, it seems eminently sensible to allow him to take some time out from the grind of the modern rugby season.

A lot of people now rate McCaw the greatest of All Blacks, and possibly the finest captain, too. Certainly he's right up there among the most esteemed players to have worn the black jersey.

All appearances would suggest his powers remain undimmed, even at 31.

He might even have the ability to make it through to the next Rugby World Cup, and have a crack at becoming the first skipper to lift the trophy twice.

To my mind he's earned the right to give that his best shot. Even if there is a little bit of short-term pain for some long-term gain.

It should be an interesting week in Buenos Aires, where in many ways there is a degree of pressure on the Pumas as well as the All Blacks.

The All Blacks always face high expectations, regardless of the opposition. But isn't it time Argentina started turning their competitiveness into results?

Now they're back at home, they'll eye the All Blacks and Wallabies as the opportunity to leave their mark on this inaugural year of the expanded championship.

The Pumas are very capable of winning and need to take that next step from honourable defeats - or in the case of Mendoza a draw - to victories that will really have people paying attention.

To do that, they need to become a much more ruthless team.

That means if they get ahead they've got to close games out. They've got to learn to win or they will get left behind and fail to develop as they should.

No matter how you look at it, winning is the only true indicator of success. And that's the next step the Pumas need to take in this competition.

But it won't be easy against an All Blacks side operating very efficiently on defence and looking poised to take its attacking game to a more productive place.

Dan Carter should be back and it will be interesting to see if his influence can see some rhythm introduced to the All Blacks' inconsistent attack.

In these type of games where Argentina will have a heap of desire and passion it's crucial to start well, which means scoring early points and silencing the crowd. That can have the effect of discouraging the Pumas.

The All Blacks will be well aware of this, and I expect them to be on the job from the opening whistle as they look to take the Argentineans out of the game early.

The unknown factor of this match has really invigorated the "old" Tri-Nations, and added a fresh challenge for an All Blacks side that looks in the mood to do something special.

- © Fairfax NZ News