The China Mail - All Blacks beat Argentina 41-24 to reclaim top world rank

Ahead 31-10 at the interval, New Zealand held off a second-half fightback from the Pumas in Cordoba and ultimately emerged victors by scoring six tries to three.

The All Blacks clinched the world number one ranking for the first time since 2021, leapfrogging world champions South Africa, who were stunned 38-22 by Australia in Johannesburg in the tournament opener.

Winger Sevu Reece also scored a double for the visitors while fly-half Beauden Barrett kicked 11 points and was a controlling figure with his tactical kicking.

Barrett's opposite Tomas Albornoz scored 14 points, including a try, but the Pumas were unable to end their winless record on home soil against New Zealand, which stretches to 15 matches.

The result continues an unbeaten start to the year for the All Blacks, who swept France 3-0 in their June home series.

Reece scored the opening try after an early Barrett penalty before Argentina responded, when pressure created an overlap for winger Rodrigo Isgro.

Pumas prop Mayco Vivas was shown a yellow card for a professional foul and New Zealand capitalised on their one-man advantage.

Fullback Will Jordan sliced through on the halfway line and sent scrum-half Cortez Ratima clear for the best try of the match and a 17-7 lead.

The visitors took control late in the first half through a try to back-rower Ardie Savea - arguably the game's best player - followed by Reece's second score.

Albornoz kick-started Argentina's second-half rearguard with a tackle-busting try.

New Zealand lost centre Billy Proctor to a yellow card and the home side closed to within seven points through a try to back-rower Joaquin Oviedo.

However, All Blacks replacement hooker Taukei'aho sucked the energy out of the crowd by barging across to score twice in the last 12 minutes.

Z.Ma--ThChM