All Blacks Beat Pumas to Go Top of World Rankings After Thrilling Rugby Championship Opener

The All Blacks are back on top of the rugby world. After four years away from the number one spot, New Zealand reclaimed the crown with a 41-24 victory over Argentina in the opening round of the Rugby Championship. It was a performance that combined clinical first-half dominance with some nervy moments after the break, but ultimately the men in black had too much firepower for Los Pumas in Cordoba.

All Blacks Beat Pumas to Return to Number One

New Zealand entered the game under pressure to deliver, particularly after South Africa’s 38-22 defeat to Australia earlier in the day had opened the door for them to climb back to the top of the world rankings. The All Blacks didn’t need a second invitation. From the first whistle they set the tone, surging to a 10-0 lead within the opening ten minutes through Beauden Barrett’s penalty and Sevu Reece’s first try.

The Pumas, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, struck back when winger Rodrigo Isgro found space to score. For a moment, at 10-7, it looked like Argentina might rattle the visitors. But that flicker of hope was quickly extinguished. The All Blacks shifted through the gears and struck with a devastating 21-point burst before halftime. Ardie Savea powered over, young scrum-half Cortez Ratima darted through for his first international try, and Reece completed his brace. Suddenly, it was 31-10 at the break and New Zealand were in full control.

Argentina Fight Back With Grit and Heart

If the first half was one-way traffic, the second half told a different story. Argentina regrouped and came out swinging. Tomas Albornoz muscled his way over just 11 minutes into the restart, giving the home crowd reason to believe.

Their momentum grew when All Blacks centre Billy Proctor was shown a yellow card. With New Zealand down to 14 men, the Pumas pounced. Joaquin Oviedo crashed over to cut the deficit to just seven points, sparking real hope of a famous upset. The crowd erupted, the stadium in Cordoba shaking with the sound of thousands of Argentines sensing history.

For a few tense minutes, the All Blacks looked rattled. Their discipline slipped, their defensive line creaked, and suddenly they were being tested in ways the first half hadn’t prepared them for.

Taukei’aho Slams the Door Shut

But great teams know how to weather storms, and New Zealand did just that. As the Pumas pushed harder, the All Blacks bench stepped up. Replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho made the decisive impact. With 12 minutes left, he barreled over from close range to give his side breathing space. Not content with one, he added a second try shortly after, killing off Argentina’s hopes once and for all.

It was a cruel blow for the Pumas, who had fought so valiantly to drag themselves back into the contest. Yet it also underlined the ruthless efficiency that has defined the All Blacks for decades. Even on the back foot, they found a way to turn the screw when it mattered most.

Scott Barrett’s Honest Assessment

All Blacks withstand big Pumas comeback to go top of the world

After the match, captain Scott Barrett praised his side’s ability to start fast but admitted there were frustrations with how they let Argentina back into the contest.

“We talked about starting well and I think we did that,” Barrett reflected. “We finished the second half quite strong – it was a bit of a statement there. In the second half we were a little bit slow and probably a little bit of indiscipline fed their game, which was disappointing and allowed the crowd to get in behind them.

“They threw a lot of punches at us and I’m pleased the guys who finished the game were able to win some arm wrestles, get some territory and most importantly come away with a good win.”

A Familiar Story in Argentina

For Argentina, it was another night of what might have been. Despite their grit and moments of brilliance, their record against New Zealand on home soil now stands at 0-15. Michael Cheika’s men showed plenty of spirit and proved they can rattle the very best, but closing out those opportunities remains the hurdle they cannot quite clear.

Still, their fightback in the second half was a reminder of just how far Los Pumas have come in recent years. In the past, a 31-10 halftime deficit against New Zealand might have turned into a landslide defeat. Instead, they clawed back within a converted try of the All Blacks and had the visitors sweating before Taukei’aho shut the door.

What This Means for the Rugby Championship

With South Africa’s defeat and New Zealand’s emphatic win, the All Blacks now sit top of both the Rugby Championship table and the world rankings. It’s a powerful statement from a side determined to reassert themselves after a few turbulent seasons. The blend of experienced heads like Savea and Barrett with new faces such as Ratima and Proctor suggests this is a squad with both depth and balance.

For Argentina, there will be frustration but also encouragement. They showed they can hurt New Zealand when given a foothold and will take confidence heading into the return fixture in Buenos Aires. A packed stadium will once again back them, and if they can string together 80 minutes of disciplined rugby, they will believe they can finally topple the All Blacks at home.

Looking Ahead

The Rugby Championship has already thrown up drama in its opening weekend. The All Blacks reclaiming the world number one ranking adds extra intrigue to the tournament, while the Pumas have once again shown they are no pushovers.

Next Saturday’s rematch in Buenos Aires promises fireworks. Argentina will be desperate to end their long drought against the All Blacks, while New Zealand will want to back up their victory and continue to build momentum.

For now, though, the All Blacks can enjoy the feeling of being back where they believe they belong – at the top of the rugby world.