The All Blacks lost three on their own throw to the Wallabies in Wellington a fortnight ago, and, although Ewen McKenzie's men lost five, the home pack will be looking for a big improvement against Argentina in Hamilton on Saturday night.
"The lineout hasn't been up to scratch and we're the first to admit that," Whitelock said. "We have to make sure we get our good processes in place and if we can do that it's always something we can go back to."
Asked how the troublesome set piece could be improved, he replied: "The consistency right across the board. We have to make sure that the lift is perfect and that the jump is perfect which will allow our hooker to have that consistent area to throw to. If we can nail those three areas we should be fine and hopefully nail our own ball and then we can put pressure on their lineout too."
With Keven Mealamu playing for Auckland in the ITM Cup recently, all signs are pointing to Andrew Hore starting as hooker at Waikato Stadium. His ruggedness and breakdown work could be an asset against the big Pumas forwards.
Due to the continued absence of Luke Romano, who has a groin injury, Whitelock and Brodie Retallick will be the major ball-winners for the All Blacks and their combinations with Hore will be crucial. Both claimed six takes in Wellington, with Steven Luatua chiming in with one.
Whitelock believed the Wallabies were able to pressure the All Blacks in the first two Bledisloe Cup tests because of the defence strategy their tight forwards had developed while playing against the New Zealand teams in the Super Rugby competition.
The Pumas' lineout is a different beast altogether, he said.
"Their lineout is probably a little bit different to what we see in Super Rugby ... so we have to be prepared for everything."
While the All Blacks lineout hasn't quite been top-notch, it's a far cry from the shambles of 2009 when Springboks Victor Matfield and Co ruled the roost and Steve Hansen and Graham Henry swapped jobs for a while. Since then the set piece has improved greatly. Whitelock, who made his test debut in 2010 and will win his 44th cap on Saturday, is considered one of the best leapers in the world and Retallick and Romano aren't far behind.
As for that success story, the All Blacks twice walked over the Australian scrum in Wellington, and although it will be a more competitive area on Saturday, Whitelock was confident his side had adjusted to the new engagement laws quicker than the Wallabies, Springboks and Pumas.
"All of the teams in the championship are still adjusting a little bit. The improvement from game one to game two for us, we got used to it and probably adjusted quicker than the other teams but in saying that everyone's had a week off [so they will have improved]."