The Wallabies have landed a major blow in their redemption story under Les Kiss, defeating Argentina 27-21 in a thrilling showdown in San Salvador de Jujuy. The hard-fought victory gives Australia their first four-match winning streak since 2021 and means Kiss remains unbeaten in his three Tests in charge. That winning run has come against Italy and Japan, teams ranked No 11 and No 12 in the world.
Punching up against Los Pumas, the world No 7, was always going to be tougher. But despite a yellow card and repeat errors in the second half, the Wallabies defied a hostile home crowd and showed enough flair and fight to grind to a gritty triumph. After a fierce opening stanza, Australia scored first via fast hands and direct lines.
A Carter Gordon short ball allowed Rob Valetini to bend the line and his backrow partner Tom Hooper thundered free, sending it wide to free up Josh Canham on the wing. Dragged down, he popped a pass to Brandon Paenga-Amosa who clambered over. Reunited halves Ryan Lonergan and Gordon were zipping crisp passes out the back but when Lonergan varied the theme with a box kick, winger Max Jorgensen chased hard and crunched the sweeper to win a penalty.
Magic Max stayed on the scene with a darting run down the blindside to create the overlap for Gordon to power over. Even at 0-12, the home side weren’t rattled, and found a response in quick time, with a short lineout that split the Australian line and set Los Pumas rolling up the middle. Faustino Sánchez Valarolo led the charge, Simón Benítez Cruz switched the play and Santiago Carreras’s sweet pass found Gerónimo Prisciantelli racing through to score.
The San Salvador de Jujuy arena sits 1,250 metres above sea level and as players slowed to draw rasping breath, Australia struck. Repeat raking kicks from Gordon pinned Argentina in their red zone and, under pressure, they leaked two penalties. Australia made them pay, peppering the line for Fraser McReight to burrow over.
The altitude was muddling minds too. Canham and Boris Wenger scuffled over the sideline and then Australia went a man down after Harry Potter rushed up in defence and threw his hands at a Valarolo pass. The one-man advantage eventually paid off when two quick tap-and-runs from Pumas No 8 Joaquín Moro found the line.
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