Australia opened their two-test tour with a hard-fought 27-21 win against Argentina in San Salvador de Jujuy on Saturday, August 29. The victory maintains coach Les Kiss's perfect record and comes as the team holds second place in their World Cup qualifying group, two points behind the USA.
Four different players scored tries for Australia: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Carter Gordon, Fraser McReight, and Tom Hooper. Argentina's young side, which had pushed South Africa hard earlier in the month, replied with three tries of their own but were ultimately undone by defensive lapses and handling errors late on. The halftime score was 22-14 in Australia's favour.
How did the forward battle shape the game?
Australia's pack laid the foundation for the win. They dominated the physical contest and showed impressive skill with the ball in hand. Tom Hooper was outstanding across the park, while the back row combination of Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini provided relentless energy. This platform allowed the backs to operate, though the team also had to rely on scrambling defence at key moments.
Argentina showed flashes of their potential. Wing Rodrigo Isgro was involved in a slick move for one score, and their energetic approach caused problems. However, as reported by Straits Times Sport, some soft defending and poor handling in the final minutes cost them a chance to snatch a result. Australia's Harry Potter spent time in the sin bin for a deliberate knockdown, and Tate McDermott was held up over the line.
Where does this leave Australia's World Cup preparations?
The win is a third in a row for coach Les Kiss since taking charge. It builds confidence ahead of a critical phase in World Cup qualifying. Australia's record in the campaign so far reads one win, one draw, and one loss, giving them four points. They have scored two goals and conceded two. Their most recent qualifier was a 1-1 draw with Egypt on July 3rd.
With a recent form line of one win, three draws, and one loss from their last five matches, consistency is the next target. The team is firmly in the qualification mix, just two points off the top. Fans can follow the evolving table on our standings page.
What is the next challenge for the team?
Attention now turns to sealing the series in Mendoza next Saturday. A second victory would complete a successful tour and set a positive tone. The bigger picture remains World Cup qualification, with a major home fixture against Brazil scheduled for September 25th. View all upcoming dates on our fixtures page.
Performances like this, built on forward power and multiple try-scorers, are exactly what Kiss will want to see repeated. The team must now prove it can deliver back-to-back results on the road. As they build towards the Brazil clash, maintaining this standard will be essential for their hopes of topping the group. Detailed player data from the qualifying campaign can be found on our stats page.
