Dressed in black and carrying tear gas guns, pistols and batons, the All Blacks' police escorts ride their motorbikes on the streets of Argentina's capital city with the swagger of a character in a Mad Max movie.
A fit-again Dan Carter and a clinical training run completed, Steve Hansen's week is progressing nicely as his side prepare for what will be one of their toughest tests of the Rugby Championship.
Two games to go and the inaugural Rugby Championship is almost in the bag for the All Blacks, but they will know they were in the same position last year and lost the Tri Nations.
Travelling to the lairs of the most fearsome packs in world rugby would once have been a concern for the All Blacks, but now they feel they have an advantage - insofar as the travel part is concerned anyway.
An inconsistent disciplinary process which has seen Springboks prop Dean Greyling receive only a two-week suspension for his attack on Richie McCaw will be reviewed after the Rugby Championship.
OPINION: Dean Greyling's flying attack at Richie McCaw's unprotected head was bad enough, but unfortunately the madness hasn't ended there.
Tasman and Southland dress in remarkably similar colours but could hardly be having more contrasting seasons.
The Springboks say they have been written off and therefore have nothing to lose against the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday but those hoping for a more expansive game plan as a result are likely to be disappointed.
It seems a forlorn and slightly desperate hope, but Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer says his side will need plenty of luck if they are to beat the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday.
Ryan Nelsen's aside that the Solomon Islands could take to the North Harbour Stadium pitch tomorrow night wearing sleeping bags to guard against the cold has serious undertones - the All Whites are preparing for anything.
The All Blacks are likely to cope just fine without Dan Carter, but the prognosis isn't as cheery for Taranaki, who as a result have lost Beauden Barrett on the eve of their Ranfurly Shield defence against Hawkes Bay.
Sometimes getting straight back on the field after a heavy loss is the best therapy and so it proved for Manawatu against Northland in a 33-20 win in Whangarei tonight.
For Conrad Smith, training today in Wellington was another step towards a return to the All Blacks following his eye injury. But for Daniel Carter it was a journey back to the dark days of last year's World Cup injury.
Manawatu proved the perfect opposition for Auckland to regain their confidence with a big 59-16 win in the ITM Cup today.
Southland were given an inhospitable welcome to the ITM Cup championship when receiving a beating by a Counties-Manukau team guaranteed to entertain this season.
Quade Cooper's unpredictability is why Robbie Deans has recalled him for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park.
A sense of timing has always been Sonny Bill Williams' strong point and like all true entertainers he is about to bow out with the crowd - and in his case the All Blacks coaches - wanting more.
What the Aussies would give to quibble over a few untidy lineouts.
Wyatt Crockett hasn't had too many chances to cement his place in the All Blacks front row, but he has a prime opportunity against Australia on Saturday following Tony Woodcock's injury.
Nathan Friend has played alongside and for Stephen Kearney and says he would be an excellent addition to the Warriors - particularly on defence, a major concern for the club.
