Australia clinched the two‑test series against Argentina after the second match concluded in a 28‑28 stalemate on Saturday night. The Wallabies had already taken the series with a 27‑21 win in the opening Test, but the final game proved to be a dramatic, see‑saw affair that tested both sides' resolve and discipline. In the opening half, the Wallabies established an early advantage.
Hooker Harry Wilson broke through two defenders to score the first try, and his teammate Max Jorgensen added another before the interval. Both conversions were successfully kicked by fly‑half Ryan Lonergan, giving Australia a comfortable lead. Argentina responded swiftly, however, when centre Pablo Matera crossed the line twice, once after a slick passing sequence that saw him finish a close‑range move, and again later after a sustained 23‑phase drive that culminated in a try between the posts. The Pumas also benefited from the efforts of Ignacio Mendy, whose try came after a brilliant line‑break by Joaquin Moro, and Ignacio Ruiz, who added a score of his own.
By the end of the first half the scoreboard read 14‑14, reflecting the evenly matched nature of the contest. The second half opened with a burst of Australian momentum. Lock Fraser McReight powered through three Argentine defenders to touch down, extending the lead. Argentina, refusing to be outdone, answered eight minutes later when Ruiz dived over close to the line, restoring parity.
The game’s intensity escalated when both teams faced disciplinary setbacks. Early in the second half, Argentine forward Lucio Cinti received a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, while shortly after, Santiago Carreras was sin‑binned for intentionally blocking a pass intended for winger Filipo Daugunu. These infractions reduced Argentina to 13 men for a crucial ten‑minute stretch.
Capitalising on the numerical advantage, Australia earned a penalty try just minutes before the final whistle. The penalty was awarded after Carreras’ deliberate hand‑block prevented what would have been a certain try, prompting the referee to grant the Wallabies an automatic six points. This penalty try, combined with the earlier scores, brought the total to 28‑28, ensuring the series would be shared.
Despite the draw, the Wallabies left Argentina with an unbeaten record across the two‑test series. Captain Harry Wilson praised his side’s effort but expressed disappointment at not securing an outright series win, especially with a formidable challenge looming against world champions South Africa on September 27. "In those last ten minutes they played the conditions really well, knowing they're a few men down.
The deck was slippery and they held onto the ball as long as possible," Wilson reflected. "We've had a string of victories, and a draw tonight isn’t ideal, but bringing another trophy home should give us momentum and confidence heading into the Springboks clash." Head coach Les Kiss echoed Wilson’s optimism while acknowledging areas for improvement. "Securing that trophy was one of our primary goals, and we achieved it," Kiss said.
"We controlled key phases of the game and put ourselves in a good position, but there’s a sense of disappointment that we couldn’t finish it off. The boys are mixed‑feelings – proud of the achievement but aware we need to tighten up certain aspects of our play." The match also highlighted the importance of discipline in high‑stakes rugby. Argentina’s yellow cards for Cinti and Carreras proved costly, as the reduced manpower gave Australia the platform to press for the decisive penalty try.
Conversely, Australia’s own missed opportunity early in the game—when McReight was ruled out of touch after a potential try—underscored the fine margins that can swing a match. Looking ahead, the Wallabies will aim to build on the confidence gained from the series win while addressing the robustness of their defensive structures and the consistency of their attacking phases. The upcoming test against South Africa promises to be a stern examination of their progress, as the Springboks will bring a blend of physicality and tactical acumen that could challenge Australia’s recent resurgence. Fans eager to follow the next chapter in international rugby can tune in to the fourth and final Test of the year, featuring New Zealand versus South Africa, broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from Baltimore, USA, at 10 p.m.
next Saturday. This fixture will further showcase the global reach of the sport and set the stage for the next round of high‑profile encounters.