New Zealand held off a second-half fightback to beat Argentina 41-24 of their Rugby Championship opener and return to the highest of the world rankings for the primary time in 4 years.

Winger Sevu Reece and substitute hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho every scored two tries for the All Blacks who substitute world champions South Africa, who had been overwhelmed 38-22 by Australia in Johannesburg, because the primary workforce on the planet.

The guests had been 10-0 forward contained in the opening 10 minutes in Cordoba because of Beauden Barrett’s penalty and Reece’s first attempt.

Pumas winger Rodrigo Isgro went over to cut back the deficit to a few factors, however quickfire tries from Ardie Savea, Cortez Ratima and Reece once more put New Zealand 31-10 forward on the break.

Argentina launched a spirited restoration after the break, with Tomas Albornoz powering over 11 minutes after the restart.

And when Billy Proctor was despatched to the sin bin, Joaquin Oviedo’s attempt lowered the deficit to seven factors and raised hopes of a well-known comeback win.

However substitute Taukei’aho snuffed out these hopes with two tries within the ultimate 12 minutes to seal an All Blacks victory.

“We talked about beginning properly and I believe we did that. We completed the second half fairly robust – it was a little bit of a press release there,” mentioned All Blacks captain Scott Barrett.

“Within the second half we had been somewhat bit gradual and possibly somewhat little bit of indiscipline fed their sport, which was disappointing and allowed the group to get in behind them.

“They threw plenty of punches at us and I am happy the blokes who completed the sport had been capable of win some arm wrestles, get some territory and most significantly come away with a very good win.”

The defeat extends Argentina’s winless file on residence soil towards New Zealand to fifteen matches.

The 2 sides meet once more in Buenos Aires on Saturday.