Australia secured the series victory over Argentina after the second Test concluded in a 28‑28 stalemate on Saturday night. The Wallabies, who had edged the first encounter 27‑21 a week earlier, managed to hold on for a draw thanks to a late penalty try, ensuring they won the two‑match series despite not winning the final game.
In the opening half, the Wallabies established an early rhythm, with Harry Wilson breaking through two defenders to touch down, followed by a successful conversion from Ryan Lonergan. Max Jorgensen added a second try before the break, extending Australia’s lead and showcasing the backline’s speed and power. The Argentine side fought back, however, with Pablo Matera crossing the line twice and Ignacio Mendy adding a try after a superb drive from Joaquin Moro. Ignacio Ruiz also found the line, and Santiago Carreras successfully kicked the conversion that brought the scores level at 14‑14.
Australia’s momentum was briefly halted when Fraser McReight saw a potential try disallowed after being forced out of touch at the 16‑minute mark. Nevertheless, the Wallabies recovered quickly; four minutes later Wilson’s breakaway try gave them a narrow advantage, and Lonergan’s extra points widened the gap. The match’s intensity escalated when Franco Molina received a yellow card for Argentina, leaving the Pumas a man short.
Australia capitalised, with Jorgensen diving over the line to push the lead further. Yet Argentina responded swiftly; after Australia lock Jeremy Williams was sin‑binned, the Pumas struck back with two tries in quick succession. Matera’s first try came from close range after a fluid passing sequence, and Mendy’s effort, set up by a powerful drive from Moro, saw him dive over.
Carreras’ conversion restored parity at 14‑14. After the halftime interval, McReight restored Australia’s lead by powering through three Argentine defenders to score, only for Ruiz to answer eight minutes later, leveling the score again. The contest remained tightly balanced until the 64th minute, when Matera, after an impressive 23‑phase build‑up, crossed the try line between the posts, giving Argentina a 23‑16 lead. Five minutes later, the tide turned dramatically.
Lucio Cinti was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on that prevented a certain Australian try. The Wallabies seized the opportunity, and the referee awarded a penalty try when it became clear that a pass intended for Filipo Daugunu had been deliberately blocked by Carreras’ outstretched hand. This decision leveled the scores at 28‑28 with just ten minutes remaining.
In the closing stages, Australia pressed hard for a winning score, but Argentina’s defence held firm despite being reduced to 13 men after Carreras also received a sin‑bin for the earlier interference. The Wallabies were unable to break through, and the match ended in a draw, securing the series win for Australia based on their first‑match victory. Captain Harry Wilson praised his side’s resilience while expressing disappointment at not converting the draw into a win. "In those final ten minutes they played the conditions well, knowing they were a few men down.
The deck was slippery and they tried to retain possession as long as possible," Wilson said. "We’ve had a string of wins, and a draw tonight isn’t ideal, but bringing another trophy home should give us momentum and confidence heading into the upcoming Test against South Africa on September 27." Head coach Les Kiss echoed Wilson’s optimism, highlighting the importance of the series win for a rejuvenated Australian squad that remains unbeaten in 2026.
"Securing that trophy was one of our primary objectives," Kiss remarked. "The lads are pleased that we achieved that part of our plan.
We controlled key periods of the game and put ourselves in a good position, though it’s tough to finish without a win. The boys are a bit disappointed they couldn’t finish it off, but the overall feeling is mixed – we achieved our goal, yet we have areas to improve, especially making our game more robust." Both teams will reflect on the match’s disciplinary moments, which proved pivotal. Argentina’s loss of two players to yellow cards in the final ten minutes hampered their ability to chase a win, while Australia’s discipline allowed them to capitalize on the penalty try. The series outcome underscores the fine margins in international rugby and sets the stage for Australia’s next challenge against the world champions, the Springboks.
Fans can catch the fourth and final Test of the season, featuring New Zealand versus South Africa, broadcast live from Baltimore, USA, on Sky Sports Action at 10 p.m. next Saturday.