AS IT HAPPENED: Wallabies hold tough for critical win over Argentina

Sat, Aug 29, 2026, 8:57 PM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

RECAP: The Wallabies have found a way home, defeating Argentina 27-21 in Jujuy.

Coach Les Kiss remains unbeaten as Wallabies boss, with his forward pack once again proving the difference.

Watch every second of the Wallabies' Tests against Argentina live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Flanker Fraser McReight was named Player of the Match, whilst second-rowers Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams were among the best as the Aussies took an eight-point lead into the break.

Los Pumas kept the game tight, but a try to Tom Hooper restored their lead heading into a nervous last quarter.

The Wallabies survived several late attacks from Argentina to secure the win.

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FULL TIME: WALLABIES 27 - 21 ARGENTINA
79': Wallabies hang on

Wallabies 27-21: The Wallabies ride the chaos and find a way home!

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii nearly seals it with a banger of a try, but the ball back to Fraser McReight from Ben Donaldson hits the deck.

It gives Argentina a chance to strike, but they lose it thanks to Tate McDermott's rip tackle, booting the ball into touch.

78': Nervous times for both teams

Wallabies 27-21: Real pressure for both teams as Argentina are bailed out after they kick it out on the full.

Harry Potter is pinged for being offside and Argentina kick the ball well inside their half for a chance to steal victory.

Speaking of steals, Charlie Cale does well to get up high and pinch the lineout but Argentina rip it away and attack from 30 metres out, only to drop it!

75': Defence holds up for Wallabies

Wallabies 27-21: Awesome work from Angus Bell and Fraser McReight shuts the door on Argentina's attack.

Argentina launch inside the 22 and Bell and Pollard combine to rock the attacker, allowing McReight over the ball for the ruck penalty.

72': McDermott held up

Wallabies 27-21: Desperate scramble from the hosts stops Tate McDermott from scoring.

McDermott goes for the quick tap after a short arm penalty and is remarkably stopped by a host of defenders.

A poor kick in-behind goes dead for Australia, giving Argentina the chance to attack.

71': Williams denied vital try

Wallabies 27-21: Jeremy Williams is denied a five-pointer as the forwards go to work.

The Wallabies bully Argentina at maul time for the penalty advantage, allowing Williams to dive over close to the line, however, he drops the ball as he looks to plant it down.

Australia had penalty advantage and will reload the scrum.

68': Wallabies earn territory gain

Wallabies 27-21: The altitude seems to be having its effect as neither team can handle the ball.

The Aussies are playing freely but the ball keeps hitting the deck, with a wild grubber from Carter Gordon eventually leading to a knock-on by Argentina 25 metres from their line.

A great scrum draws the penalty and Australia kick for the line eight metres out.

64': Argentina winning kicking battle

Wallabies 27-21: Both sides starting to feel the pressure of the final moments as the hosts get a crucial territory advantage.

Los Pumas finding a way to keep winning the kicking battle as they attack from halfway, only to be dumped into touch by Max Jorgensen.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on for Isaac Henry, while Carter Gordon is back on after his HIA.

60': Wallabies turning aerial tide

Wallabies 27-21: The Wallabies are starting to find their feet in the air and force a big mistake.

Harry Potter makes up for his yellow card with the win back and pressure from the visitors results in Argentina putting the kick out on the full after taking it back into their 22.

Argentina hold on in defence to force the error 15 metres out and win the scrum penalty to clear their half. Josh Canham comes off for Lachlan Shaw.

55': Hooper's instant response for Wallabies

Wallabies 27-21: Powerful stuff from the Wallabies as Tom Hooper delivers the instant response.

It comes off the back of back-to-back breaks from Hunter Paisami and Carter Gordon, with Hooper there to plant it down.

Gordon comes off instantly for Ben Donaldson, with the flyhalf down briefly holding his face.

52': Argentina strike

Wallabies 22-21: Boris Wegner dives over from close and the margin is now one.

Argentina stay patient and it's their prop who salutes from close to the line.

50': Wallabies under pressure

Wallabies 22-14: The Wallabies are now under a yellow card warning after several penalties on their line.

It follows a charge-down that gives Argentina a penalty following an obstruction, and they keep attacking Australia's line.

Billy Pollard and Massimo De Lutiis come on for Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Allan Alaalatoa, with Fraser McReight likely the new skipper.

48': Priscinatelli double denied

Wallabies 22-14: Fullback Gerónimo Priscinatelli dives over for his second but it's denied for a forward pass.

Argentina work quickly after a lost ball from the Wallabies, but there are some passes that look very questionable.

TMO Richard Kelly quickly picks up on it, with the pass by Simón Benítez Cruz pinged after the scrumhalf breaks free and passes it back, with the ball travelling several metres forward.

44': Aussies holding on, Lonergan down

Wallabies 22-14: Dangerous signs for the Wallabies as they are forced to scramble to stop Argentina.

Ryan Lonergan makes a desperate covering tackle, but it's come at a cost as he holds his forearm on the ground. He's taken off the field and replaced by Tate McDermott.

41': Change for Wallabies

Wallabies 22-14: Angus Bell has been inserted straight into the game after half-time, replacing Isaac Kailea.

He makes an immediate impact after Argentina put the kick-off out on the full, winning a scrum penalty.

The Aussies can't make use of it, losing the lineout, with Argentina winning massive territory off the clearing kick.

HALF TIME: WALLABIES 22 - 14 ARGENTINA
40+1': Late points for Aussies

Wallabies 22-14: Ryan Lonergan takes a rare shot at penalty for Australia and nails it.

The hosts are pinged for offside and the scrumhalf takes the chance to push the margin out to eight with a kick from nearly in front, 25 metres out.

37': Argentina power over

Wallabies 19-14: Argentina finally find their way over the line through Joaquín Moro.

The number eight goes quickly once again from a short arm free kick and this time, he can't be stopped.

34': Argentina putting pressure on

Wallabies 19-7: Argentina are looking to use the numbers as they hunt for points.

Excellent work by the hosts to spot the space in behind with a kick in-behind, with only a desperate Ryan Lonergan there to stop the try, but it leads to a five metre scrum.

Another penalty for the hosts, this time for offside, as Harry Potter comes back onto the field.

29': High ball hurting Wallabies

Wallabies 19-7: The high ball has been a big issue for the visitors and it continues to give Argentina a chance to attack.

It's been a procession of bombs won back for Argentina, with the Wallabies again showing up big in defence to force the mistake on the 22.

27': Wallabies hold tough

Wallabies 19-7: Some superb defence from the Wallabies as they stop Argentina from close.

It starts with a turnover from a crafty maul move that goes wrong for the hosts, with this backed up with a tackle into touch.

Frustration showing for Argentina as Boris Wegner is pinged for a scuffle off the ball, allowing the Aussies to clear their 22 and wind down further clock.

Carter Gordon misses touch but a smart tackle from Isaac Henry forced Argentina into touch again.

25': Potter off for ten

Wallabies 19-7: Harry Potter sits down for ten for a deliberate knock down after another Argentina attack.

Argentina swing it all to the backline and a rush of blood from the winger sees him yellow carded for knocking the ball down. He knew it straight away, almost instantly running from the field.

23': Argentina held up

Wallabies 19-7: Argentina power their way to the Australian goal-line but somehow can't find a way to get it down.

They had penalty advantage as they keep applying the pressure on Australia's line.

20': McReight sneaks over

Wallabies 19-7: Fraser McReight just finds some space close to the line and dives over for the five-pointer.

The Wallabies have Argentina in trouble as they keep drawing penalties, with the flanker burrowing his way over for the five-pointer after smartly turning his body away from the hosts and worming his way down.

16': Second rowers feasting

Wallabies 12-7: The Wallabies duo of Jeremy Williams and Josh Canham are on fire early.

Canham smashes Argentina after they win back a high ball, with Williams getting over the ball for the penalty.

The Wallabies set up camp inside Argentina's 22, winning the penalty after their maul is stopped illegally. Another maul penalty now has the hosts under a warning by ref Ben O'Keeffe.

14': Argentina hit back

Wallabies 12-7: A peach of a set play delivers Argentina their opening try via Gerónimo Priscinatelli.

Rodrigo Isgró runs a superb line to break open the visitors' defence, with the fullback gliding over two phases later for the try.

11': Gordon extends lead

Wallabies 12-0: Carter Gordon crashes over as the Aussies extend their advantage.

The Wallabies go to work under penalty advantage on Argentina's goal-line and the flyhalf swings the short side and carries his defender over the line for the try close to the sideline, with Lonergan making no mistake.

9': Jorgensen creates chance

Wallabies 5-0: Max Jorgensen does excellent work to smack Ignacio Mendy and win the turnover from a high ball, giving Australia the chance inside Argentina's 22.

The Wallabies' set piece is looking on fire after they steal Argentina's lineout.

6': Second row magic delivers BPA opener

Wallabies 5-0: How about the hands from the second-rowers as Brandon Paenga-Amosa dives over for the opener.

Jeremy Williams and Josh Canham combine to put the Reds lock into space, with Williams wrapping around as he charges for the line.

Williams then offloads to the hooker, who just finds the line for the first try.

3': Sloppy play early

Neither side really managing their handling early as Argentina cough it up on their first attack.

The hosts win the ball back from an early high ball and go down the short side, dropping it close to the sideline.

The Aussies are looking to play expansively, but passes are finding the deck in behind. A scrum penalty against both Argentinian props helps clear their half.

KICK OFF

Wallabies flyhalf Carter Gordon launches the ball high and this game is underway!

Early win for the Aussies as Harry Potter gets the kick-off park after Argentina fumble the transfer.

Santiago Carreras wins the turnover for Argentina, with a late tackle penalty against Isaac Kailea relieving the pressure.

ARGENTINA 21

Tries: Priscinatelli, Moro, Wegner

Cons: Carreras 3/3

Pens:

WALLABIES 27

Tries: Paenga-Amosa, Gordon, McReight, Hooper

Cons: Lonergan 2/3, Donaldson 0/1

Pens: Lonergan 1/1


PRE GAME
T-2 min to go: Anthems done

Big roar from the local fans as both anthems are in the books.

As you expect, the Argentina anthem is full of passion, with local performers adding their own spin with a flute band rendition.

The Aussies sing Advance Australia Fair with pride. One note: Whenever in Argentina, they always fly a Rugby AU flag as well as the Australian (sometimes instead). Always gets me, where did they find one cause it's the only time it's ever spotted.

T-20 min to go: Late change for Argentina?

Footage from Stan Sport appears to show Los Pumas prop Boris Wegner down with an ankle injury in the warm up.

He's being taped up as we speak, but it would be a huge blow for the hosts if he can't play.

One to watch.

T-30 min to go: Word from Les Kiss from the ground

Coach Les Kiss is expecting fireworks early from Argentina as he looks forward to the game at hand.

"It's going to be fast and physical. They've trained up here all week at 1,200 metres [of elevation]," he said via Stan Sport.

"They'll come out fast,frenetic, passionate. We just have to be ourselves nd be fast and in control in our way. So we expect there to be fireworks early.

There's a small pocket of Wallabies fans in the stands, hoping to see another victory under Kiss.

T-60 min to go: WELCOME

Good morning and welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Wallabies' first Test against Argentina in Jujuy.

It's an important step up for Les Kiss' side as they look to build momentum for the rest of the year.

A strong crowd is expected in northern Argentina, with cloudy but dry conditions forecast for the game.


ARGENTINA v WALLABIES TEAMS

ARGENTINA (15-1): Gerónimo Priscinatelli, Rodrigo Isgró, Luico Cinti Luna, Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, Ignacio Mendy, Santiago Carreras, Simón Benítez Cruz, Joaquín Moro, Benjamin Grondona, Pablo Matera (c), Tomás Lavanini, Guido Petti, Francisco Moreno, Ignacio Ruiz, Boris Wegner

Replacements: Leonel Oviedo, Rodrigo Martinez, Tomas Rapetti, Efrain Ellias, Juan Penoucos, Agustin Moyano, Nicolas Roger, Matias Moroni

WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter; Carter Gordon, Ryan Lonergan; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Isaac Kailea

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Massimo De Lutiis, Lachlan Shaw. Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)

Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR) & Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)

TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)

FPRO: Glenn Newman (NZR)

HOW TO WATCH ARGENTINA v WALLABIES

The Wallabies' clash with Argentina will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport

Coverage will be live on Stan Sport, scheduled to start at 4:30 am AEST.

The game will not be shown on free-to-air, not covered under the anti-siphoning laws.

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