The No. 2 New Zealand All Blacks kicked off the 2025 Rugby Championship in Cordoba, facing off against a hungry team in the No. 7 Argentina Los Pumas. Felipe Contempomi’s squad surged out of the locker rooms in the second half but were unable to put a stop to the All Blacks.Â
A win would have marked a historic occasion as Argentina’s 250th test victory and their first against the All Blacks on their home soil.
With this win, the All Blacks retook their spot on top of the World Rugby Rankings, a position they haven’t held since November 2021.
After the No. 1 Springboks were upset by the Wallabies in the early Saturday game after a 38-point swing, everyone was on edge as the Pumas closed the gap to just 7 points before Samisoni Taukei’aho added two more tries to the board.
Captain Scott Barrett led the All Blacks with Captain Julian Montoya for Los Pumas.
New Zealand All Blacks vs Argentina kicked off at 5:10 p.m. ET on FloRugby for fans in the US.Â
Subscribe to watch the 2025 Rugby Championship live and on-demand on FloRugby.
2025 Argentina vs New Zealand All Blacks – Men’s
Final Score: New Zealand All Blacks 41 – 24 Argentina Los Pumas New Zealand All Blacks Score Six Tries, Win Despite Argentina’s Late Push
Read the recap of scores and watch highlights of the 2025 Rugby Championship between New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina on Saturday, August 16.
Anton Lienert-Brown Sent Off, Yellow – ’77
As the clock ticks down, an unfortunate contact up high brought out the yellow to put the All Blacks down a man for the second time in the game.
Taukei’aho Is Unstoppable, Earns Another Try – ’74
Just six minutes later, Samisoni repeats the success, touching down to extend the lead and put the game largely out of reach for the Pumas.
Taukei’aho Stretches Lead – ’68
After mounting a speedy reply, the All Blacks scored an important try at the hands of Samisoni Taukei’aho. Barrett missed the conversion, the third ball of the game to bounce off the uprights.
After Stalwart Hold By New Zealand, Pumas Finally Score – ’62
After nearly 6 minutes straight of pressure by the home team, Los Pumas’ Joaquin Oviedo finally broke the plane and put up a try to keep them in the game and close the gap to just 7 points.
Can the All Blacks respond? Yes, they sure can.
TRY | JoaquÃn Oviedo | Min 62
Argentina’s comeback continues! Some quick thinking from number 8 JoaquÃn Oviedo brings the hosts back within a score! ARG 24 – NZL 31.#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/WOODfjuk0h
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025Yellow Card Shown For Billy Proctor – ’58
Momentum continued to go the way of the Argentinians as Proctor sent off the field for ten minutes, just meters away from the try line.
Albornoz Streaks Through All Black Defense – ’50
After providing a great kicking game so far today, Albornoz snuck through the All Blacks from a quick pass away from Gonzalo Garcia to score the try.
TRY | Tomas Albornoz | Min 50
Back in the game! Los Pumas score an epic first-phase try! Straight from the scrum Tomas Albornoz breaks free! ARG 17 NZL 31.#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/H0oKsvbd4n
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025Substitutions Coming In – 49′
Sclavi comes on.
Pedro Delgado leaves.
Nahual Tetaz Chaparro comes on.
Mayco Vivas leaves.
Part Two In Cordoba Is Underway
After an intense ending to the first 40 minutes of this Rugby Championship matchup, the All Blacks and Los Pumas return to the pitch.
At The Half: New Zealand All Blacks 31 – 10 Argentina Los Pumas – ’44
In a huge surge before the whistle at the half, the All Blacks were able to secure one more try, finding Sevu Reece at the edge once again to penetrate the Pumas defense.
TRY | Sevu Reece | min 40
Pulling away just before halftime, the All Blacks know how to win the big moments and they stretch their lead again! Sevu Reece bags his second when the clock is in the red. ARG 10 – NZL 31#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/PmTdOHZ9a4
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025
Some quick stats from the first half:
Penalty Goals
New Zealand: 1Argentina: 1
Tries
New Zealand: 4Argentina: 1
Conversions
New Zealand: 4Argentina: 1
Carries
New Zealand: 52Argentina: 52
Turnovers Lost
New Zealand: 5Argentina: 7
Turnovers Won
New Zealand: 3Argentina: 1Things Heat Up, Savea Scored Try For AB – ’37
Ardie Savea scored the try near the end of the half after a lot of waiting due to injury pauses and penalty resets.
TRY | Ardie Savea | Min 36
ARDIE SAVEA! The All Blacks strike just before the break to extend their lead to two scores. Setting up a perfect driving maul the visitors get rolloing and Savea strikes. ARG 10 NZL 24#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/Ai7yYiu7l5
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025Argentina Adds Three More On Penalty Kick – ’29
Albornoz secures this one to close the gap ever so slightly as the yellow card expired.
Jordan To Ratima For Breakaway Try – 23′
The speed of the All Blacks came through with a missed tackle and breakout by Will Jordan before making a quick pass to Cortez Ratima to score the try.
TRY | Cortez Ratima | Min 23
Pure magic! The All Blacks go from deep with some vintage attacking rugby! Cortez Ratima runs the perfect trail line and the All Blacks are in again! ARG 7 – NZL 17.#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/0U1AQq67nl
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025Mayco Vivas Earns Yellow – 17′
All Blacks go up a man through 27′. As the Pumas fight a man down, their energy levels have filled the gap, creating a turnover and offensive opportunity about halfway through the penalty.
Argentina Strike Back To Thunderous “Pumas” Chants – 15′
As the crowd broke into thunderous “Pumas” chants, the Argentinians played for nearly 90 seconds under the penalty advantage but they didn’t need it. They found Rodrigo Isgro on the outside to get past the All Blacks and put up a try of their own. Albornoz nailed the conversion.
TRY | Rodrigo Isgro | Min 15
Los Pumas strike back! Going through the phases in tight before finding Rodrigo Isgro out wide! ARG 7 NZL 10.#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/c3xyjucC0N
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025Reece Stretches To Secure Opening Try For AB – 8′
Although the Argentinian defense held strong for a moment, Will Jordan helped the ball get out quickly to find Sevu Reece on the edge to score the first try. Beauden Barrett took the kick, another that bounced off the post but this time it bounced in the kicker’s favor.
TRY | Sevu Reece | Min 8
The All Blacks strike first! Sevu Reece finishes out wide on the back of some solid work at the maul from the pack. ARG 0 NZL 10.#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/4ksdIcZ1TD
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025Penalty Goes Other Way To Give Argentina Opportunity –  6′
Albornoz missed the penalty kick, bouncing off the post back into the hands of the All Blacks.
All Blacks Score First Points After Early Penalty – 3′
Santiago Chocobares was penalized for a late hit on Jordie Barrett, Beauden Barrett scores the kick for the first lead of the match.
Penalty | Beauden Barrett | Min 3
Beauden Barrett knocks over the first points of The Rugby Championship for the All Blacks. ARG 0 – NZL 3.#ARGvNZL pic.twitter.com/XYLapQb4Sl
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025We’re Underway At Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes
It’s showtime!
The first Haka of the 2025 Rugby Championship is in the books! 🇳🇿
Catch all of the action live now on FloRugby 🇺🇸#ARGvNZL #TheRugbyChampionship #AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/yphr5IsEwk
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025Players To Watch Today: All Blacks vs Argentina
Players to watch in today’s TRC clash between @lospumas and @AllBlacks live on FloRugby 🇺🇸
Juan Cruz MallÃa: 9 offloads in the 2024 Championship, most of any player.
Will Jordan: 19 tries in his last 18 Tests, 5 against Argentina alone.#ARGvNZL #TheRugbyChampionship
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025New Zealand All Blacks vs Argentina Rugby Start Time
New Zealand All Blacks vs Argentina kicks off at 5:10 p.m. ET on FloRugby.
The All Blacks have history on their side – 35 wins in 39 Tests v Argentina, unbeaten in 14 on Pumas soil. Can Los Pumas flip the script in front of a home crowd tonight?
US Rugby fans can find out live on FloRugby at 16.10 CT 🇺🇸#ARGvNZL #TheRugbyChampionship
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) August 16, 2025Watch On YouTube: The Rugby Championship 2025 Preview | Team-by-Team Guide & PredictionsÂ
The Rugby Championship 2025 is here – and it’s set to be one of the most competitive in years. We break down all four teams – Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa – with key players, strengths, weaknesses, and our predictions for the tournament.
From the Pumas’ shot at history to the Springboks’ bid for back-to-back titles, here’s everything you need to know before kickoff.
Los Pumas Take The Pitch
¡Llegamos al Kempes! 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/2Dpfvkmd4x
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) August 16, 2025All Blacks Could Take Over Top Spot In World Rugby Rankings With Win
If New Zealand wins or draws today against Argentina, they will be back in the number one spot on the World Rugby Rankings, overtaking the Springboks and returning to the top for the first time since November 2021.
Earlier Today: Wallabies Go On 38-Point Run To Take Win Over SpringboksWallabies Player Ratings From Stunning Comeback Win At Ellis Park
After leading at the half 22-5, the Springboks were overrun by the unstoppable Wallabies at Ellis Park. It was the Springboks first loss in more than a year.
Read the Player Ratings by Philip Bendon after the stunning match.
What To Know: All Blacks vs Argentina Rugby Game PreviewPreview: Pumas Eye Historic Home Win Over All Blacks In Rugby Championship
Philip Bendon broke down tonight’s match including his bold predictions and analysis on what it will take for either team to walk out of Cordoba with a win.
“Where the match will be won:Â
Across the board, these two sides are more equally matched than at any point in their respective histories.
Up front, the battle at set-piece time will be ferocious and will go a long way to deciding which side can get much-needed field position.
Yet, it is in the back three where the most intriguing of head-to-head battles are set to unfold…”
Click here to read the full write-up.
Argentina Rugby Lineup vs. New ZealandÂ
¡Los 23 para esta tarde en el Kempes!💪 pic.twitter.com/73igKXcY0p
— Los Pumas (@lospumas) August 16, 2025Los Pumas Starting XVMayco VivasJulián Montoya (C)Pedro DelgadoFranco MolinaPedro RubioloPablo Matera (VC)Marcos KremerJoaquÃn OviedoGonzalo GarcÃaTomás AlbornozBautista DelguySantiago ChocobaresLucio CintiRodrigo IsgróJuan Cruz MallÃa (VC)Replacements16. Ignacio Ruiz17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro18. Joel Sclavi19. Guido Petti20. Juan MartÃn González21. Simón BenÃtez Cruz22. Santiago Carreras23. Justo PiccardoNew Zealand Rugby Lineup vs. ArgentinaÂ
Skip is back! 🫡
Test One vs Argentina
Sun 9:10am NZT | Sat 6:10pm ART pic.twitter.com/vAIwx5kCOH
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 14, 2025All Blacks Rugby Starting XVEthan de GrootCodie TaylorFletcher NewellScott Barrett (C)Fabian HollandTupou Vaa’iDu’Plessis KirifiArdie Savea (VC)Cortez RatimaBeauden BarrettRieko IoaneJordie Barrett (VC)Billy ProctorSevu ReeceWill JordanReplacements16. Samisoni Taukei’aho17. Ollie Norris18. Pasilio Tosi19. Patrick Tuipulotu20. Samipeni Finau21. Finlay Christie22. Anton Lienert-Brown23. Damian McKenzieHow To Watch Argentina vs. New Zealand Free Stream
This match will also stream for free on the FloRugby Youtube and Facebook accounts in the United States starting at 5:00 p.m. ET.
What Channel Are The All Blacks Playing On Today?
Match replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.
The Rugby Championship 2025 Schedule
Aug. 16
Aug. 23
Sept. 6
Sept. 13
Sept. 27
Oct. 4
How to Stream Argentina vs. All Blacks In Round 1 Of The Rugby ChampionshipDate: Saturday, Aug. 16Kickoff: 5:10 p.m. ETLocation: Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes, CórdobaLive Stream: FloRugby.com and the FloSports app (U.S. and Canada)FloRugby will provide live coverage, replays and analysis for subscribers in North America.How To Watch The Rugby Championship 2025
In the United States, rugby fans can watch 2025 The Rugby Championship on FloRugby and the FloSports App.Â
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:Â
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.Â
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