New Zealand captain Scott Barrett admitted they had been "outclassed" after suffering their first away defeat to Argentina, losing 29-23 in the Rugby Championship.

Scott Robertson's team started their Rugby Championship campaign with a 41-24 victory in Cordoba last week, but Los Pumas earned a measure of revenge in Buenos Aires.

Billy Proctor and Fletcher Newell scored first-half tries to give the All Blacks a 13-6 lead, but ill-discipline then cost the tourists as they had three players sent to the sin-bin, including yellow cards for Will Jordan and Tupou Vaa'i within three minutes just before half-time.

Playing against 13 men, Juan Martin Gonzalez went over the whitewash to get Argentina level at 13-13, then replacement Santiago Carreras kicked three penalties to pull the hosts clear in the second half.

Gonzalo Garcia scored following great work by Pablo Matera off the scrum as Argentina went 26-13 up just before the hour, with Carreras kicking another penalty late on. 

Samisoni Taukei'aho had briefly threatened to spark a New Zealand comeback, but it was not to be, though Damian McKenzie's penalty at least gave them a bonus point.

Argentina had failed to win any of their 15 home Tests against the All Blacks before Saturday's encounter (14 wins, one draw), though they did earn a memorable 38-30 triumph in New Zealand last year. 

And Barrett felt the tourists were outfought, telling Sky Sports: "I think they showed more passion and intensity.

"They got over the gainline and they held the ball, while we gave away penalties which just fed their game. They're a quality team and we were outclassed."

New Zealand were hoping to cap a landmark moment for Codie Taylor, who was playing in his 100th Test, with a victory.

But the hooker was replaced by Samisoni Taukei'aho in the 52nd minute and had to watch on as Argentina controlled the second half.

"Well done to them, and congratulations, that's the first thing. It hurts, it's tough," All Blacks coach Robertson said.

"We wanted to play with a lot more care than that for Codie and put a show on to finish this tour. We didn't get that. It wasn't what we wanted. We are going to have to look deep."

Argentina captain Julian Montoya, meanwhile, felt their statement victory had been coming for some time.

"The stadium was rocking, honestly it was amazing. I'm really proud of the team and the whole squad," Montoya said.

"It's a team effort and a team sport. I'm really proud. We believed that we could win, and we've believed for a few years now. We came back from a tough loss in the last game and we stayed in the fight."