Australia secure rugby series in Argentina with 28-28 draw in Mendoza
Australia clinched the test series against Argentina after holding the hosts to a 28-28 draw in Mendoza, surviving a late push despite the Pumas finishing the match with 13 players.
Series win in Mendoza
Australia clinched their two-match test series against Argentina on Saturday following a 28-28 draw at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza. The result secured series honours for the Wallabies after their 27-21 victory in San Salvador de Jujuy the previous week, a win that had lifted Australia above Argentina in the world rankings. The draw extended the unbeaten start for Australia head coach Les Kiss to four matches, giving him three wins and a draw since taking charge of the national team. The two sides continued an alternating sequence in their head-to-head fixtures, having traded wins and squared series across their previous six tests.
Early Wallabies lead and Pumas response
Swirling winds and early handling errors defined the opening quarter after returning Australian winger Filipo Daugunu dropped the kickoff. Australia had an initial score disallowed when scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan was ruled to have stepped into touch on the right blind side. Recalled captain Harry Wilson opened the scoring from close range in the 20th minute. After Australia chose to tap a penalty and flanker Fraser McReight was held up over the line, Argentina lock Franco Molina received a yellow card for a professional foul in the 27th minute. Australia used the numerical advantage immediately, sending winger Max Jorgensen across the line for a 14-0 lead after Lonergan added his second conversion.
- Harry Wilson scores opening try from close range for Australia
- Franco Molina receives yellow card for a professional foul
- Pablo Matera and Ignacio Mendy score tries to level the match 14-14
- Pablo Matera scores second try to give Argentina the lead
- Australia awarded penalty try as Lucio Cinti and Santiago Carreras receive yellow cards
- Argentina hold on with 13 players to secure 28-28 draw
The Wallabies were wary of their lead after suffering a 67-27 defeat from a similar position during their 2024 tour, and the Pumas responded quickly before the interval once Australian lock Jeremy Williams was sent to the sin bin for cynical play. Argentina captain Pablo Matera touched down under the posts, and four minutes later winger Ignacio Mendy scored after collecting an inside pass from Joaquín Moro off a lineout. Fullback Santiago Carreras converted both tries to bring the match to 14-14 at halftime. Argentina missed an opportunity to take the lead before the siren when Australian fullback Tom Wright shoved Simón Benítez Cruz in goal, conceding a penalty that the hosts failed to convert.
Disciplinary crisis and shorthanded finish
Matera scored his second try of the match in the 64th minute to give Argentina their first lead of the contest. The match turned six minutes later during an Australian attacking raid inside the Argentine 22-metre zone. Referee James Doleman showed a yellow card to Lucio Cinti for a deliberate knock-on, and penalized Carreras with another yellow card for the same infraction moments later. Doleman awarded Australia a penalty try on the sequence, tying the score at 28-28 in the 70th minute.
Despite playing the final ten minutes with 13 men, Argentina held off repeated Australian attacks. The Wallabies suffered from backline errors and an inability to maintain fluency, failing to produce a scoring opportunity before full-time.
It's difficult to come here and do what we did. But we know we let them off the hook. We took control, then let it go. Took control again, then let it go again. Series win, we get a trophy, but we know there's plenty we need to work on.
