18 min: Another knock-on. This one from Argentina in contact. So stodgy. Neither team managing to get any rhythm so far. We’ll have a scrum on Argentina’s 10 metre line with a short blind down the right.
NO TRY! Argentina 0-0 Australia
17 min: McReight was out of touch! In fact, he was about a metre when he played the ball back infield for Wilson. Argentina take the line-out, win it and get up to halfway in a flash with Cinti carrying hard.
TRY! Argentina 0-5 Australia (Wilson, 16)
What’s happened here? They’ll check it. Every one in dark blue seemed to stop but the Wallabies, off a short line-out on the right inside the Pumas 22, had Wilson running free after Mcreight combined combined with Lonergan down the short side. Matera wants a word with the red. Was McReight’s foot out of touch?
14 min: We have a Mexican wave inside the first quarter of an hour. Make of that what you will.
13 min: Argentina pinch the line-out and soon after Matera is carrying with one hand as he charges into Ikitau and makes good metres. Cruz box kicks and Lonergan has it under control thanks to a lucky bounce. Then the ball is lost again. No one wants it. Argentina build once more. Daugunu crunches Valarolo and forces the knock-on. That was a hayuuuge shot!
12 min: Roger again hands possession away. This time after carrying solo into contact and losing the ball. Australia are back on it on halfway with Donaldson wrapping around Ikitau before the kick to the corner from Wright is mopped up. The return finds touch and ends with a big territorial gain. They’ll throw to the line inside Argentina’s patch.
9 min: Australia get the free kick from the scrum and go through the hands. Right then back left before Lonergan over the top kicks another ball that dribbles beyond the in-goal area. Good phase play from the Wallabies before that with Wilson carrying hard off the shoulder.
6 min: Penalty at the scrum for Argentina. Tupou nailed there. What an awful kick from Roger there as he misses touch and ghoofs it beyond the in-goal area beyond Australia’s line. That is so poor. Australia will now get the scrum.
5 min: Down the line the Pumas go from the line-out before they lose the ball in the far tram on the right. Australia counter and there’s a sniff as Donaldson off-loads to Daugunu on his left, but the winger spills it. Has he rubbed his hands with butter? Scrum to Argentina on halfway.
5 min: The clearing penalty didn’t get beyond their 22 so Australia have to line-out from inside their own red zone. It takes a while before Lonergan feels comfortable hoisting a high box kick that doesn find touch around the 10 metre line. Argentina still inside Aussie territory.
3 min: Free-kick to Argentina at the scrum. They tap and go quick through Moro. Then they keep it with the big boys. Molina carries. Down the left. Calarolo drives after contact but the Wallabies pounce and Canham – my pick for Australia’s best of the year – waits before getting low and coming up with the steal five metres from his own line. Brilliant.
1 min: Daugunu drops the kick-off so we’ll have an early scrum for Argentina inside Australia’s 22.
Kick-off!
Away we go!
Argentina in dark blue get us going.
Anthems done. Stirring stuff. Argentina need a response from last week. They were so sloppy.
Tom Wright runs out ahead of his mates on his 50th appearance.
A great player, such a natural runner. On his day he’s as good as any other fullback. Just needs to find that consistency.
It’s not a packed house unfortunately.
Perhaps its economic reasons, perhaps it’s a sign of the sport’s popularity, or perhaps it’s because Australia aren’t a major draw.
Whatever the reason, this feels like a big step down from the titanic clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
Phew, was worried for a second.
Just in time, we’re with Stan Sport.
Minutes to go.
Hopefully they switch to the game soon on Sky….
Australia are chasing a fifth straight win, something they have not achieved since 2021.
I’ve followed this team closely for a few years now and I still have no idea what to make of them.
Sensational at times, infuriating at others, I’m glad I’m not a Wallaby fan.
Both teams are competing for the Puma Trophy, which Australiua will take home if they win.
They’ll also become the first Wallabies side ever to win a tour on Argentinean soil.
“We’re expecting a strong response from Argentina on Saturday, and we know we will need to keep stepping up our game in all areas.”
The Wallabies coach Lews Kiss is expecting Argentina to come out swinging in Mendoza.
Australia are still searching for a regular 10.
It’s bonkers, really. Sure, injuries have played a role, but we’re now into a second coach’s tenure and still no closer to knowing who should get the jumper.
This from Jack Snape is really good:
Australia team
Australia have made nine changes to the side that beat Argentina 27-21 in Jujuy last weekend.
Tom Wright returns at fullback and will win his 50th cap, with Max Jorgensen and Filipo Daugunu completing a new-look back three. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Len Ikitau reunite in midfield, while Ben Donaldson starts at fly-half in his first appearance in the No 10 jersey since 2024.
Harry Wilson returns as captain at No 8, allowing Rob Valetini to move to blindside flanker. Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou return in the front row, with Billy Pollard starting at hooker.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright; 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Filipo Daugunu; 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan; 1 Angus Bell, 2 Billy Pollard, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Josh Canham, 5 Jeremy Williams, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (captain).
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Carter Gordon, 23 Isaac Henry.
Argentina team
Argentina have made a series of changes as they look to square the series against Australia in Mendoza.
Santiago Carreras moves back to fullback after starting at fly-half in the opening Test, with Nicolás Roger handed the No 10 jersey. Rodrigo Isgró and Ignacio Mendy switch wings, while Pablo Matera takes over as captain.
There are changes up front, too. Guido Petti moves from lock to blindside flanker, with Efraín Elías and Franco Molina forming a new second-row partnership. Pedro Delgado returns at tighthead prop, while Tomás Lavanini drops to the bench.
Argentina: 15 Santiago Carreras; 14 Rodrigo Isgró, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, 11 Ignacio Mendy; 10 Nicolás Roger, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz; 1 Boris Wenger, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 3 Pedro Delgado, 4 Efraín Elías, 5 Franco Molina, 6 Pablo Matera (captain), 7 Guido Petti, 8 Joaquín Moro.
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Francisco Moreno, 19 Tomás Lavanini, 20 Juan Martín Scelzo, 21 Facundo Cardozo, 22 Gonzalo Bertranou, 23 Mateo Soler.
Preamble
Australia are chasing a fifth straight victory under Les Kiss, but the Wallabies have rarely found it easy to win successive Tests in Argentina.
They held on for a 27-21 victory in Jujuy last weekend, surviving a spirited Pumas fightback and the demands of playing at altitude. Now they move to Mendoza, where Argentina must win to square the series and prevent Australia from completing a rare clean sweep on Argentine soil.
Argentina have responded with changes throughout the side, moving Santiago Carreras back to fullback and handing Nicolás Roger the fly-half jersey. Australia have made even more alterations, bringing back Harry Wilson as captain and reshaping their backline and front row.
The Wallabies are building momentum under Kiss, but this is another test of their depth, discipline and ability to respond when the Pumas turn the match into a confrontation. For Argentina, the equation is simpler: start better, impose themselves earlier and keep the series alive.
