New Zealand beat Argentina 33-10 in a World Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

The tournament hosts will now play Australia in the last four when they return to Eden Park next weekend after the Wallabies beat reigning champions South Africa 11-9 in Wellington earlier on Sunday.

But the All Blacks, already without star playmaker Dan Carter following a tournament-ending groin injury, saw the fly-half's stand-in, Colin Slade, limp off in the first half as full-back Mils Muliaina, following captain Richie McCaw, became only the second player to make 100 Test appearances for New Zealand.

The All Blacks had been overwhelming favourites to win against an Argentina team who have still to record a Test victory over New Zealand.
But the Pumas, who saw flanker Juan Farias Cabelli score the only try of the first half, stayed in sight of what would have been the most stunning World Cup upset of all-time until New Zealand, for whom scrum-half Piri Weepu kicked seven penalties, pulled away in the last quarter.

The All Blacks finally scored a try through No. 8 Kieran Read 11 minutes from time and lock Brad Thorn added a second late on. (AFP)