Australia clinched the two‑match series against Argentina after the second Test ended in a 28‑28 stalemate on Saturday night, preserving an unbeaten record across the tour. The Wallabies, who had taken a 27‑21 win in the opening encounter a week earlier, managed to level the series thanks to a series of late‑stage scores, including a penalty try awarded with ten minutes remaining. In the first half, the hosts established an early foothold when Harry Wilson broke through the Argentine defence, evading two tacklers before grounding the ball. Ryan Lonergan successfully added the conversion, putting the Wallabies ahead.
Shortly after, Max Jorgensen sprinted down the left flank and crossed the try line, extending the lead further. Argentina responded swiftly, with Pablo Matera exploiting a gap near the line to score his first try of the match. The conversion was slotted by Ignacio Carreras, and the score was narrowed to 14‑14 after a rapid exchange of points. The contest remained tightly balanced throughout the first half, with both sides trading penalties and a missed try for Australia when Fraser McReight was ruled out of touch at the 16‑minute mark.
Nevertheless, the Wallabies kept the pressure on, and Wilson’s early try set the tone for a high‑octane encounter. The second half opened with Australia pulling ahead again when McReight powered through three Argentine defenders to touch down, only for the Pumas to answer eight minutes later. Ignacio Ruiz surged forward from close range, diving over for a try that brought the visitors level once more.
The momentum swung back and forth, with each team capitalising on moments of discipline lapses and opportunistic play. With 16 minutes left on the clock, Matera struck again, this time after a prolonged phase of 23 successive passes and rucks that saw the ball move from one side of the field to the other. He crossed the try line between the posts, giving Argentina a slender lead. However, the drama intensified when Lucio Cinti received a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, reducing the Argentine side to 13 men.
Australia seized the advantage immediately, as the referee awarded a penalty try after a clear obstruction by Carreras, who had deliberately blocked a pass intended for Filipo Daugunu. The penalty try, converted by the Wallabies, leveled the scores at 28‑28 and effectively secured the series for Australia, as the match concluded without further scoring. Post‑match, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson praised his teammates’ resilience but expressed disappointment at not securing a win on the night.
"In those final ten minutes they played the conditions well, knowing they were a man down. The deck was slippery and they tried to hold onto the ball as long as possible," Wilson said.
He added, "We’ve had a few wins in a row, and a draw tonight isn’t ideal, but bringing another trophy home should give us momentum and confidence heading into the next Test against the Springboks on September 27." Head coach Les Kiss echoed Wilson’s sentiments, highlighting the importance of the series win for a rejuvenated Australian side that has yet to taste defeat in any of its four 2026 Tests. "Securing that trophy was definitely one of our objectives," Kiss noted. "We controlled large portions of the game and put ourselves in a good position to win. The boys are a little disappointed they didn’t finish it off, but we achieved what we came here to do.
There are still areas of our play that need to become more robust, and we’ll work on those moving forward." Argentina’s efforts were not without merit. Pablo Matera’s brace demonstrated his attacking flair, while Ignacio Mendy’s try showcased his speed and support play. However, the Argentine side was hampered by discipline issues late in the game. Both Lucio Cinti and Santiago Carreras were penalised for deliberate infractions, costing the Pumas crucial possession and ultimately the chance to chase a victory.
The series win adds a significant boost to Australia’s preparations for the upcoming Test against South Africa, the reigning world champions. The Wallabies will look to refine their set‑piece execution, defensive structures, and attacking patterns ahead of the September clash, hoping to translate the confidence from the Argentine tour into a competitive performance against the Springboks. For rugby fans worldwide, the action continues with the highly anticipated fourth and final Test of the season featuring New Zealand and South Africa, scheduled to be broadcast live from Baltimore, USA, on Sky Sports Action at 10 p.m.
next Saturday. This marquee matchup promises to showcase the sport’s top talent and will be a fitting conclusion to a thrilling international rugby calendar.