Australia secured the series win against Argentina after the second Test concluded in a dramatic 28‑28 stalemate on Saturday night. The Wallabies, who had already taken the first match 27‑21, fought back from a series of setbacks to ensure they remained unbeaten across the two‑Test tour.
In the opening half, the hosts established an early lead thanks to tries from Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen. Wilson broke through after evading two tacklers and grounded the ball, with Ryan Lonergan converting the subsequent kick. Jorgensen added another try shortly after, extending the margin and putting pressure on the Pumas. Argentina responded quickly, however, with a series of disciplined plays that saw Pablo Matera cross the line twice and Ignacio Mendy add a try of his own, both converted by Santiago Carreras.
By halftime the score was level at 14‑14, reflecting the tightly contested nature of the encounter. The second half began with Australia regaining the initiative when Fraser McReight powered through three Argentine defenders to score a try, showcasing his physicality and determination.
Yet Argentina answered in kind just eight minutes later; Ignacio Ruiz capitalised on a close‑range opportunity to level the scores once more. The back‑and‑forth continued, with both sides trading penalties and converting tries, keeping the crowd on edge throughout. A pivotal moment arrived with 16 minutes remaining when Matera completed a 23‑phase move, diving over the line between the posts to give Argentina a narrow lead.
The momentum seemed to be swinging in their favour, but the game took a decisive turn when Lucio Cinti was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on. The infringement prevented a certain Argentine score and reduced the Pumas to 13 men, creating an opening for the Wallabies. Australia capitalised on the numerical advantage by being awarded a penalty try after a pass intended for Filipo Daugunu was deliberately blocked by Carreras with an outstretched hand.
The referee deemed the obstruction intentional, awarding the penalty try and further shifting the balance toward the visitors. Despite this, the Wallabies were unable to convert the opportunity into a winning margin in the final minutes, ultimately settling for a draw on the night but a series victory overall. Captain Harry Wilson praised his side’s resilience while expressing disappointment at not securing a win in the closing stages. "In those last ten minutes they played the conditions really well, knowing they're a few men down.
It's a bit slippery on the deck and they just tried to hold on to the ball for as long as they can," Wilson said. He added, "We've had a few wins in a row and to get a draw tonight is not ideal, but bringing another trophy home hopefully gives us momentum and confidence heading into the next Test against the Springboks." Head coach Les Kiss echoed Wilson’s optimism, highlighting the importance of the series win for a rejuvenated Australian side that has yet to taste defeat in 2026.
"Securing that trophy is definitely one of the things we came here to do," Kiss remarked. He also noted areas for improvement, stating that the team must work on making their game more robust and addressing specific weaknesses before the upcoming clash with world champions South Africa on September 27.
Discipline proved a critical factor for Argentina, as both Cinti and Carreras received yellow cards in the latter stages, costing the Pumas valuable momentum. Their earlier success, driven by Matera’s two tries and solid performances from Mendy and Ruiz, was ultimately undermined by these infractions. The Wallabies, despite missing a potential try when McReight was ruled out of touch early in the match, managed to stay composed and capitalize on the opposition’s lapses. Looking ahead, the Wallabies will aim to build on this series triumph as they prepare for a daunting home test against the Springboks, who are the reigning world champions.
The experience gained from a tightly contested series in Argentina, combined with the confidence of an unbeaten record, should serve Australia well in what promises to be a challenging encounter. Fans can also keep an eye on the upcoming fourth and final Test of the year, featuring New Zealand versus South Africa, which will be broadcast live from Baltimore, USA, on Sky Sports Action at 10 pm next Saturday.
This match will provide further high‑quality rugby action as the Southern Hemisphere powerhouses continue their preparations for the upcoming international season.