Match report
That’ll do from me for tonight.
Here is the report from Angus Fontaine. Credit to the Wallabies for digging deep. Catch you next week.
The Wallabies have landed a major blow in their redemption story under Les Kiss, defeating Argentina 27-21 in a thrilling showdown in San Salvador de Jujuy. The hard-fought victory gives Australia their first four-match winning streak since 2021 and means Kiss remains unbeaten in his three Tests in charge.
That winning run has come against Italy and Japan, teams ranked No 11 and No 12 in the world. Punching up against Los Pumas, the world No 7, was always going to be tougher. But despite a yellow card and repeat errors in the second half, the Wallabies defied a hostile home crowd and showed enough flair and fight to grind to a gritty triumph.
Updated
Fraser McReight, who came up with that immense steal at the death, wins player of the match:
It was a back-and-forth sort of match.
Argentina were very good. I felt like we were pretty poor in some areas, but just really proud of the group and I’m happy we got the win over here.
Here’s a happy coach, Les Kiss:
That’s Test rugby, isn’t it?
We weren’t perfect; neither were they.
I think they really controlled the ruck well … I thought we didn’t manage that as well as we could have.
Their defence certainly tested us, we’re going to have to be better in that area next week.
Updated
Max Jorgensen knows what a struggle that was.
It was a very tough game. Everyone knows that coming over to Argentina is a bloody hard place to win. It’s you against them, plus the whole stadium.
It wasn’t near perfect, we’ve still got a lot of work to do, but to come away with a win in Argentina is very good.
Full-time: Argentina 21-27 Australia
NO! The ball is spilled and Australia win it!
Quite sloppy at times, especially from the home side in the second half, but that is a mighty win for Les Kiss and his Wallabies. They had to dig deep and they fully deserve it.
80 min: Chaos! Australia burst down the right from the scrum. Sua’ali’i into space passes back infield to Donaldso who fires a pass to McReight. But he spills it so Argentina have the ball in their own half. They have about 70 metres to go. Can they?
79 min: Cale steals the line-out! But the ball is ripped away. Argentina back on the ball! But Isgro spills in contact! Ah man, does either side want to win this? We’ll have an Australian scrum to see out the game.
78 min: A high kick takes a wicked bounce and suddenly Argentina are on the ball. But they kick away possession and Sua’ali’i has it and slows it down with a short run. McReight secures the ball before McDermott kicks from the ruck. Moyano rushes his return kick and hoofs it straight out. Oh, but Potter was offside so it’ll be an Argentine penalty. They kick it deep and out of touch. One last chance for the Pumas off this line-out about 12 metres from halfway inside Wallabies territory.
76 min: Argentina rake a kick ahead that forces Jorgensen to turn and collect. He does so just in front of his try line and does brilliantly to eke out some ground after taking contact. But the ball is turned over shortly after as McDermott’s box kick doesn’t go very far. Mendy runs it back and gets hammered. Then McReight stoops low and comes away with a potentially game winning steal! He is so good over the ball.
74 min: Gordon kicks too long and it dribbles over the dead ball line at the back. So we come a long way back for an Argentine scrum. This is their chance. They still have to go 60-odd metres, but they have a sniff.
73 min: Argentina survive! The scrum goes nowhere but Australia get a free kick. McDermott taps and goes himself and is over the line but he’s held up. He is adamant he dotted it down but nope, held up. Argentina still with a small shot of a win. They kick long to eke out some territory but Australia are on the ball and creeping back inside Argentina’s half.
NO TRY! Argentina 21-27 Australia
Williams spilled it! But they were playing under a penalty advantage and will scrum five short of the line down the right.
OH! Or did he? THey’re checking if Williams actually knocked on.
TRY! Argentina 21-34 Australia (Williams, 71)
Is that the game? It wasn’t pretty, but they’re over. Hooper hauled down the line-out and the maul made good ground until it stalled. Then it became messy as McDermott and Jorgensen got in a tangle befofre the winger ran through a hole between the bodies in front of him and almost got to the line himself. Australia regrouped and after some tussle, Williams dotted down himself.
69 min: Australia wiun a scrum penalty on Argentina’s 22 as Valetini comes away with it. He’s snapped up, no advantage. What do they do? They choose to kick to the corner and Gordon obliges with a good nudge. Another try should be enough to wrap this up. Pollard will ge to throw from five out.
67 min: Australia playing with a bit more pace. Perhaps no coincidence that Sua’ali’i is on the field and already has two good touches. Things slow down so McDermott box kicks. McReight comes away with it and Sua’ali’i plays scrumhalf to keep it moving on Argentina’s 22. Hooper shows good feet. Valetini carries. Wright joins the line. Argentina put pressure on the breakdown. Both sets of players are puffing. After all that Gordon tries to rake a kick to the corner as the shape on attack fractures. It started so well but became rather sloppy at the end.
65 min: Great read and strength from Jorgensen who times his tackle on Ruiz perfectly and then gets some help from behind to bundle the Pumas hooker out of touch. Australia’s defence has shone today.
64 min: After some neat play Carreras spills a ball – almost inexplicably – in midfield. He’s suddenly having a pretty poor game. Australia try and counter quickly down the right with Jorgensen taking on some defenders but they kick ahead. Argentina return the favour and Donaldson does likewise. Prisciantelli kicks as well. Wright also. Prisciantelli kicks again and it all ends with Wright slicing his kick.
What was that, eight kicks? The contest is won by Argentina who get a line-out on Australia’s 10 metre line.
62 min: After a couple of resets Argentina get a scrum penalty and a comfortable exit from their own 22. They win the subsequent line-out on halfway and get to work down the right.
60 min: Australia showing patience with the ball. McDermott is going right then left then right away. But they’re not going anywhere and a stray pass is picked off by Cruz. Canham tried to offload in the tackle for Donaldson, perhaps forcing the issue in the face of determined defence. Well done Argentina. They force the knock on and get the scrum feed inside their own patch.
58 min: Potter does really well to gather a contestable but then has the ball ripped from him on the ground by Isgro. No matter as far as the Wallabies are concerned. Carreras boots a kick too long and it’s straight out. Australia get the line-out just beyond Argentina’s 22.
TRY! Argentina 21-27 Australia (Hooper, 54)
What a response from Australia! They were patient until – who else – Valetini burst through a gap after gathering a short pass from Canham and then offloaded to Paisami. They then kept things alive in the red zone. Valetini carried again. McReight had a dart. The defence fractured and Hooper dummied and scored from five out.
Donaldson somehow missed the conversion. Really not sure how he skewed that. Could that be costly?
Updated
53 min: Amazing how things can turn. Australia had the ball inside Argentina’s 22. Then they lost the ball, saw the counter, and McDermott had a kick charged down. Suddenly it’s all square.
Australia back on the ball. Good hands has Wright on a wraparound play down the left. McDermott fires to Gordon who shovels it on. They’re keeping the ball as they inch up the park. Valetini connects with an offload and then unfurls one of his own for the onrushing Paisami. In a flash they’re a metre short…
TRY! Argentina 21-22 Australia (Wenger, 52)
Inevitable! They choose to tap and go and shift the point of contact. Then Moro has a dart with a step and stiff carry. The crack opens and Wenger, who is having a great game, burrows low to wrestle the ball down. The conversion closes the gap to one.
Updated
51 min: Argentina can’t make it count but had multiple advantages there so will get another crack. Alaalatoa gets a talking to for repeat offences in the red zone. Argentina kept hammering the line but Australia held out. There’s more work to do as the Pumas are scheming in the shade of the Wallabies’ poles.
50 min: Penalty to Argentina inside Australia’s 22. McDermott had a box kick charged down and Elias went to tackle the covering Bell but was obstructed. Argentina go quick, they’re within three with an advantage…
49 min: A stunning try is chalked off! Australia lose possession shortly after the line-out and Argentina explode on the counter. The ball is flung to the left at pace where Prisciantelli steps one and feeds Cruz down the left. The 9 runs full tilt and runs out room so chucks a speculative pass back infield where Prisciantelli gathers again but the pass is forward. No doubt, despite the moans from the home crowd. Australia get the scrum deep inside their own patch and a big let off.
48 min: Argentina win the penalty but give away a penalty on the deck. Or rather, Hooper gets low after some robust defence from his mates and times his steal to perfection, He’s such a menace over the ball. Great steal. Gordon kicks this out between halfway and the Argentine 22.
46 min: Australia go back to basics. Canham rises and wins a line-out and Valetini is in the backline ready to carry into traffic. Much cleaner. McDermott then lifts a box kick that Jorgensen chases, catches but lands out of touch on the right wing.
44 min: Almost sublime from the Pumas. After a few stiff carries, Argentina went back towards the right touch. Wenger carries and offloads to Carreras who then unfurls a behind-the-back pass to keep it alive. Prisciantelli gathers but is bundled out just as he tries to fling the ball back infield. He can’t make it stick so it’ll be an Australian line-out five out from their own line.
Lonergan took a big hit so leaves the field for McDermott.
Argentina over overzealous at the line-out this time and give away a penalty. Silly stuff. Discipline really costing them.
43 min: Paenga-Amosa goes to the back of the line-out where Valetini gets a rare lift. The ball hangs in the air too long and Argentina manage to pinch it. Then Wright in the backfield skews a kick so in a blink Argentina are running at Australia’s 22 with Carreras and Wenger going to the line.
2 min: Then Australia get a scrum penalty. Wow, what a terrible start to the half for Argentina. Restart straight out and then a scrum penalty against Wenger. Australia will get a line-out on the Pumas’ 22.
Second half
We’re back! The home side have an eight point defecit to reduce. It’s not a great start to the second half as Carreras overcooks the restart and hoofs it straight out of touch.
Australia will get a scrum feed on halfway.
The statistics explain the Wallabies’ commanding start.
Australia have made just four visits to Argentina’s 22 but have scored 18 points, while Los Pumas have entered five times for only seven.
The Wallabies are also winning the breakdown battle, with 38 rucks won to Argentina’s 27. Interestingly, Argentina have been quicker when they retain possession: 78% of their rucks have been completed within three seconds, compared with 62% for Australia.
Half-time: Argentina 14-22 Australia
Lonergan lands the penalty to stretch the Wallabies’ lead beyond a converted try.
Some good work from the away side, some sloppy stuff from the hosts.
Not sure that’ll live long in the memory but some entertaining bits. Australia good value.
40+1 min: Another penalty, this one for straying offside at the line, will give Lonergan a shot at goal. It’s pretty much in front about 30-ish metres out.
39 min: Australia will have a final shot before the half time whistle as Isgro gives away a really soft penalty as he attempts to play the ball while on his backside on halfway. Gordon doesn’t have much room to work with as he kicks to touch in the left tram, but he kicks it out so the Aussies will work off the line-out.
TRY! Argentina 14-19 Australia (Moro, 38)
This time he’s over! Another scrum ends with an Argentine free kick. Moro taps and goes once again and finds soft shoulders, splitting Lonergan and Gordon with ease to dot down. Carreras could have back-heeled that over. So now it’s just a five point game.
36 min: Australia give away a free kick at the scrum so Moro taps and goes. He comes close. So does Lavanini. They have the penalty advantage. Cruz tries to pick and go himself but knocks on, perhaps sensing that Alaalatoa was lining up a big hit on him. The hit comes – late and off the ball if you ask me – but it’ll just be the penalty. Argentina choose to scrum bang in front of the sticks.
34 min: Argentina will have a five-metre scrum after outstanding work from Carreras off the line-out. At first receiver, he steps up and then dinks a kick over the rush defence. It bounces on and he chases. Lonergan mops up just before the try line but Carreras and a few pals tackle him over into the goal area. Great platform now for the Pumas to strike, right in front of the poles, they can go left or right here.
32 min: This time Gordon finds touch with a great clearing kick from inside his own 22. Efficient exit play there. But Argentina get a penalty advantage off the resulting line-out just inside halfway. Someone in gold jumped across at the set piece. That’s a bit of a coach killer, that. So Carreras will boot this back towards the Australian 22.
31 min: Argentina go short at the line-out again. Isgro and Cruz play a little one-two around the fringe of the ruck which almost breaks the Australian line, but the defence scrambles back and forces a knock-on on the Wallabies 22. Good defence from the visitors so far. They’re hanging tough off the ball.
29 min: After Gordon’s kick failed to find touch, Prisciantelli caught his own up and under. Keeping the ball alive, Carreras goes to the line himself but they run out of road down the right. Australia get the the line-out throw and just about get away with it after things got messy for Lonergan at the back. They keep their cool and manage to get their relieving kick away.
27 min: Wenger loses his rag as he gets into an off the ball tussle with Canham. That is out of frsutration as his team failed to convert another red zone entry from the line-out. Australia’s defence holds firm before Valetini wins a turnover on his own line then hacks a clearing kick away. Argentina have it back but run out of room down the left tram. That’s when Wenger shoved Canham with both players in touch, giving away a penalty which Gordon hoofs down town. He doesn’t find touch though so here come the Pumas again.
Yellow card! Australia (Potter, 25)
Harry Potter has been sent to Azkaban!
Sorry, couldn’t help it. After Argentina won a penalty advantage from their maul 10 out from the left corner, they flung it down the line Potter rushed up to pressure Valarolo in midfield but recklessly flung his hands out to a pass. He was nowhere near close enough to hold on and walked off before turning to face the ref. He knew he’d receive his marching orders for 10 minutes.
22 min: Argentina need a response and they have the ball back inside Australia’s 22 after the restart. They work the blind down the left. Cruz then hits Matera who carries within a few. They go right then left down the short side and come close again. Are they over? No! Held up. How can anyone tell through the morass of bodies. Lavanini argues his case, believing the ball was down. Nope says the ref. Still Argentina have the penalty advantage and Carreras kicks to the corner.
TRY! Argentina 7-17 Australia (McReight, 20)
They’re over! Argentina stop the maul legally but they give away another penalty for offside. Australia keep it tight, hammering the line after the maul splinters. There’s no stopping the no-necked McReight from that range. He burrows over and dots down. Lonergan adds the extras to open a healthy gap.
19 min: Another penalty from Argentina as Australia maul. Ben O’Keefe gives Matera a warning that another one will result in a penalty try. Gordon keeps the pressure on by kicking out to touch.
18 min: Canham hauls down the line-out and the maul gets to work. A Puma tries to stop it by entering from the side so Australia have the advantge. Gordon flings it right for Wright who steps in and then out before passing to Jorgensen. He’s wrapped up so they come back infield but the Pumas defence holds so we’ll come back for the pen. Once again Gordon nudgdes it into touch five out from the left corner.
15 min: That really was a brilliant try from Argentina. Is there a more hot-and-cold team in word rugby?
Now they’ve given away a penalty shortly after the restart. Or is that a penalty won by Canham who absolutely clattered Ruiz to allow Hooper an opportunity to steal. Gordon finds good touch in the corner.
TRY! Argentina 7-12 Australia (Prisciantelli, 14)
The Pumas hit back immediately! Short off the line-out on halfway, they set things up in midfield with a thumping carry from Valarolo. Second phases and they get to work, Cruz fakes a shift right before going back towards the left where Carreras hits a gap and unleashes Isgro. Prisciantelli is on hand to keep things moving and he saunters through the fragmented line from 10 out.
The conversion is good and the gap is narrowed.
TRY! Argentina 0-10 Australia (Gordon, 11)
The Wallabies are flying! Off the line-out they work it through the heavies. Jorgensen hits the line and that sucks in a couple of defenders, creating space back down the blind on the right. Gordon spots the open space, taking on two tacklers and shows great strength to get over and the ball down.
This time the conversion from Lonergan is good.
10 min: Jorgensen makes a great chase, puts pressure on the Argentina sweeper after a long raking Gordon kick and wins a penalty. He timed his tackle on Mendy perfectly. Brilliant from Jorgensen and now the Wallabies are throwing to the line five out.
TRY! Argentina 0-5 Australia (Paenga-Amosa, 8)
Brutal from the big boys! Slick off the line-out, Valetini hammers the line at pace. More big hits and then quick hands from some heavies, including Hooper at first reciever down the blind on the left to free up Canham space. Williams also heavily involved in that. It was his little offload that found his hooker in support who gathered from a standing start to twist and down down.
The conversion, though, is missed.
5 min: Big statement from the Wallabies pack! Scrum penalty at the first time of asking. Kailea getting the back slaps as Moreno popped up. Gordon’s kick to touch is a good one, over halfway.
4 min: Good ambition from Cruz. Had that gone to hand Argentina might have been away down the left wing. Instead we’ll have our first scrum – Aussie feed – after the knock on.
3 min: More sloppiness from Argentina. They give away a soft free kick at the line-out following the penalty. Australia then exit but the Pumas are back on it as they win the first contestable kick. Now down the blind Cruz snipes but Australia win it back as the off-load doesn’t find a teammate.
2 min: Argentina spill the kick-off and the Wallabies are on the ball. THey keep it for two minutes before McReight finds room down the left tram but then Carreras stoops in to make the steal. There’s a high shot from an Aussie – Paenga-Amosa I think – so the Pumas get an easy exit after holding firm.
Kick-off
Gordon gets us underway!
After Australia’s anthem it’s Argentina’s retort.
I’ve never seen it played this way before. Traditional instruments, including what I’m guessing is a quena.
Tears from the players and in the crowd. That was cool.
There are soccer markings on the field that looks a little ragged.
I did say this feels a little off-Broadway.
Still, once the whistle sounds I reckon it’ll be a belter.
It’s 7th (Argentina) v 8th (Australia) according to World Rugby’s rankings.
Dave Rennie, New Zealand’s coach, basically said the rankings are nonsense.
I disagree. Not the first thing Rennie and myself have diverted on this week.
How will altitude impact the players?
San Salvador de Jujuy sits at roughly 1,250 metres above sea level - about 4,130 feet. It is noticeable altitude, especially combined with heat, but nowhere near the extreme conditions of La Paz.
Still, every metre counts.
The tale of the tape:
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This will be the 44th Test between Argentina and Australia. The Wallabies lead the head-to-head 30-10, with three matches drawn.
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In Argentina, Australia lead 10-6, with one draw.
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Australia have won five of the last 10 meetings; Argentina have won three, with two draws.
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The most recent meeting ended in a record 67-27 victory for Argentina in Santa Fe in September 2024.
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Argentina’s 67 points in that match were the most Australia had ever conceded in a Test.
Jack Snape has been busy.
Here are two pieces from him as we build towards kick-off:
Argentina team
Argentina have named an unchanged starting XV for their first Test against Australia in Jujuy, keeping faith with the side that pushed South Africa close in Buenos Aires earlier this month.
Pablo Matera again captains the Puma and Santiago Carreras – one of my favourite players – retains the No 10 jersey, with Simón Benítez Cruz continuing at scrum-half.
The backline is unchanged, with Gerónimo Prisciantelli at fullback and Rodrigo Isgró and Ignacio Mendy on the wings. Lucio Cinti partners Faustino Sánchez Valarolo in midfield.
Joaquín Moro starts at No 8, with Benjamin Grondona and Matera completing the back row. Tomás Lavanini and Guido Petti continue in the second row, while Francisco Moreno, Ignacio Ruiz and Boris Wenger make up the front row.
There are two changes on the bench. Dragons prop Rodrigo Martínez returns to the Test squad for the first time in five years, while Nicolás Roger provides additional backline cover. Argentina have opted for a five-three split among the replacements.
Julian Montoya, who usually skippers, is one of several senior players not considered due to club commitments. That group also includes Mateo Carreras, Santiago Chocobares, and Marcos Kremer.
Argentina: 15 Gerónimo Prisciantelli; 14 Rodrigo Isgró, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, 11 Ignacio Mendy, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 8 Joaquín Moro, 7 Benjamin Grondona, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 5 Tomás Lavanini, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Moreno, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 1 Boris Wenger.
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Rodrigo Martínez, 18 Tomás Rapetti, 19 Efraín Elías, 20 Juan Penoucos, 21 Agustín Moyano, 22 Nicolás Roger, 23 Matías Moroni.
Australia team
Australia have completely reshaped their pack with Allan Alaalatoa taking over the captaincy from the rested Harry Wilson.
The Brumbies prop will lead the Wallabies for the seventh time, while Isaac Kailea returns to the starting side for his first Test since 2024. Brandon Paenga-Amosa starts at hooker, with Alaalatoa completing an entirely new front row.
Rob Valetini moves to No 8, with Tom Hooper and Fraser McReight selected on the flanks. Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams reunite in the second row.
There is continuity behind the pack, with Ryan Lonergan and Carter Gordon retained at half-back and Hunter Paisami and Isaac Henry continuing in midfield. Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen remain on the wings, with Tom Wright at fullback.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns from injury but starts on the bench, where he offers Australia another powerful option in the backline. Tate McDermott and Ben Donaldson also provide experience among the replacements.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright; 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Harry Potter; 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Lonergan; 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Isaac Kailea.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Preamble
Ever been sat at the kid’s table at a wedding?
This isn’t quite that, but there is a sense that this is off-Broadway as the Springboks and All Blacks busy themselves in their own personal tussle.
With the Rugby Championship on ice for the self-aggrandising Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour, this is a chance for Argentina and Australia to prove they don’t belong on the scrapheap.
Does that put pressure on the sides, or take it off? We’ll find out as a developing Puma side with a propensity to self destruct takes on Les Kiss’s Aussies.
Whatever transpires I hope it’s a good spectacle. Not often a game of footy carries importance beyond the boundary but this is one of them. A message needs to be sent that will be heard in Cape Town and Auckland.
Will it land? We’ll find out when things kick off at 4pm local time/5am AEST.
Teams and updates to come.
