Argentina vs Australia

Australia burst out of the blocks. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa powered over from close range in the 7th minute after sustained phase play, and Jake Gordon touched down four minutes later following a slick backs move. Ryan Lonergan converted the second for a 0-12 lead inside 12 minutes.

Argentina hit back through fullback Gerónimo Prisciantelli, who finished a well-worked move in the 14th minute. Santiago Carreras converted, making it 7-12. But Australia answered immediately — Fraser McReight burrowed over in the 20th minute and Lonergan added the extras (7-19).

Argentina hooker Ignacio Ruiz was held up over the line as the Pumas pressed, but they found a breakthrough just before half-time when Jerónimo Moro crashed over from a driving maul. Carreras converted (14-19) before Lonergan slotted a penalty in first-half stoppage time (14-22).

Argentina came out firing in the second half. After Tomás Albornoz had a try chalked off for a forward pass in the buildup, the Pumas kept the pressure on. Wenger scrambled over low from close range in the 52nd minute, and Carreras' conversion made it 21-22 — a one-point game with half an hour to play.

But Australia's response was immediate and emphatic. Rob Valetini burst through a gap and offloaded to Hunter Paisami, and after sustained pressure in the red zone, Hooper dummied and scored from five metres out in the 54th minute. Ben Donaldson missed the conversion, but the 21-27 lead gave the Wallabies the platform to manage the remainder of the game.

Argentina had a late chance when Jeremy Williams' try was disallowed for a knock-on in the 71st minute — the TMO ruling denied Australia what would have been a match-sealing score, but the Wallabies' defence held firm through a frantic final 10 minutes.

Fraser McReight produced a man-of-the-match display. The openside flanker scored a first-half try and crucially won a turnover penalty in the 76th minute as Argentina pressed for a game-tying score. His work at the breakdown was consistently disruptive.

Tom Hooper matched McReight's impact, scoring what proved to be the match-winning try with a clever dummy and strong finish. His ability to secure possession at the breakdown in the second half helped Australia see out the game.

Rob Valetini was a force with ball in hand. His burst through the Argentine midfield in the build-up to Hooper's try was the decisive attacking moment of the second half.

Santiago Carreras was Argentina's standout, kicking three conversions from three attempts and looking dangerous in the backline. Ben Wenger scored a try and was a constant threat with ball in hand.

The provider stat panel on this page shows the headline numbers. What it does not capture is the efficiency of Australia's attack — four tries from four entries into the Argentina 22 in the first half told the story of a clinical Wallabies outfit. Argentina's three tries required sustained pressure: the Pumas dominated territory for long periods but struggled to convert possession into points against a well-organised Australian defensive line. Lonergan's solitary penalty from the tee (alongside two conversions) reflected a pragmatic approach from the Wallabies, while Carreras' flawless 3/3 off the tee underlined Argentina's accuracy when they did breach the line.

Australia lead the two-Test series 1-0, their first win over Argentina since the 2025 Rugby Championship. Les Kiss's side have now won three consecutive Tests — their best run since taking over as head coach. The Wallabies travel to Mendoza for the second Test on 5 September, where Argentina will aim to level the series on home soil.

For Felipe Contepomi's Pumas, the result extends a frustrating run of narrow defeats. Since beating Wales 35-21 in July, Argentina have lost three of four — two of those by single-figure margins.

Australia's early explosiveness won the game inside 25 minutes. Argentina's second-half recovery was admirable — they matched the Wallabies in most phases after the break — but the damage of conceding three first-quarter tries proved irreparable. The Wallabies' ability to absorb pressure and strike when it mattered suggests this series is theirs to lose.