Overview
- New Zealand raced to a 31-10 halftime lead with four first-half tries, including a brace from Sevu Reece.
- Argentina narrowed the gap to 31-24 early in the second half thanks to a Tomas Albornoz solo effort and a Joaquin Oviedo score during a Billy Proctor sin-bin.
- Replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho sealed the win with two late tries off a lineout maul, finalizing the score at 41-24.
- Beauden Barrett contributed five points with a penalty and four conversions; Will Jordan created space for Sevu Reece and Cortez Ratima with incisive first-half passing.
- The teams will meet again in Buenos Aires next Saturday, with both sides set to adjust tactics based on late-game discipline and set-piece execution.