The All Blacks scored six tries to beat Argentina in Cordoba on Saturday and return to the top of the World Rugby rankings.

Ahead 31-10 at the break, New Zealand held off a second-half fightback from the Pumas to win 41-24.

The All Blacks clinched the No 1 ranking for the first time since 2021, leapfrogging the world champions Springboks, who were stunned 38-22 by the Wallabies at Ellis Park in the tournament opener.

MORE: Springboks lose No 1 ranking

Winger Sevu Reece also scored a double for the visitors while flyhalf 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.

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett said he was pleased with the result but conceded his team had only played well in patches.

“We talked about starting well and I think we did that. We finished the second half quite strong – it was a bit of a statement there,” said Barrett, whose team fell away badly in the closing stages of several Rugby Championship matches last year.

“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.”

Reece scored the opening try after an early Beauden 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 scrumhalf 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 loose forward Joaquin Oviedo.

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

The teams meet again in Buenos Aires next week.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images