New Zealand Hold Off Argentina’s Fightback To Return To Top Of World Rugby Rankings

New Zealand’s Samisoni Taukei’aho scored 2 precocious tries to seal a 41-24 Rugby Championship triumph complete Argentina and return nan All Blacks to nan apical of nan world rankings connected Saturday.

Ahead 31-10 astatine nan interval, New Zealand held disconnected a second-half fightback from nan Pumas successful Córdoba and yet emerged victors by scoring six tries to three.

The All Blacks clinched nan world No 1 ranking for nan first clip since 2021, leapfrogging world champions South Africa, who were stunned 38-22 by Australia successful Johannesburg successful nan tourney opener.

Winger Sevu Reece besides scored a double for nan visitors while fly-half Beauden Barrett kicked 11 points and was a controlling fig pinch his tactical kicking.

Barrett’s other Tomas Albornoz scored 14 points, including a try, but nan Pumas were incapable to extremity their winless grounds connected location ungraded against New Zealand, which stretched to 15 matches.

The consequence continues an unbeaten commencement to nan twelvemonth for nan All Blacks, who swept France 3-0 successful their June location series.

All Blacks skipper Scott Barrett said he was pleased pinch nan consequence but conceded his squad had only played good successful patches.

“We talked astir starting good and I deliberation we did that. We vanished nan 2nd half rather beardown – it was a spot of a connection there,” said Barrett, whose squad fell distant severely successful nan closing stages of respective Rugby Championship matches past year.

“In nan 2nd half we were a small spot slow and astir apt a small spot of indiscipline fed their game, which was disappointing and allowed nan crowd to get successful down them.

“They threw a batch of punches astatine america and I’m pleased nan guys who vanished nan crippled were capable to triumph immoderate limb wrestles, get immoderate territory and astir importantly travel distant pinch a bully win.”

Reece scored nan opening effort aft an early Beauden Barrett punishment earlier Argentina responded, erstwhile unit created an overlap for winger Rodrigo Isgro.

Pumas prop Mayco Vivas was shown a yellowish paper for a master foul and New Zealand capitalised connected their one-man advantage.

Fullback Will Jordan sliced done connected nan halfway statement and sent scrum-half Cortez Ratima clear for nan champion effort of nan lucifer and a 17-7 lead.

The visitors took power precocious successful nan first half done a effort to back-rower Ardie Savea – arguably nan game’s champion subordinate – followed by Reece’s 2nd score.

Albornoz kickstarted Argentina’s second-half rearguard pinch a tackle-busting try.

New Zealand mislaid centre Billy Proctor to a yellowish paper and nan location broadside closed to wrong 7 points done a effort to back-rower Joaquin Oviedo.

But All Blacks replacement hooker Taukei’aho sucked nan power retired of nan crowd by barging crossed to people doubly successful nan last 12 minutes.

The teams meet again successful Buenos Aires adjacent week.