Argentina 28-28 Australia: Wallabies claim series win after draw in ill-disciplined final Test in Mendoza
Argentina were reduced to 13 players for the closing stages, which proved decisive as Australia claimed a series win; Watch the fourth and final Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Baltimore, USA, live on Sky Sports Action on Saturday from 10pm
Sunday 6 September 2026 12:43, UK
Australia won their series against Argentina after the second Test finished in a 28-28 draw on Saturday night.
The Wallabies, who won 27-21 when the two sides met last week, scored tries through Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen in the first half before Fraser McReight went over in the second and a penalty try with 10 minutes to go secured the draw.
Pablo Matera scored a brace for Argentina, along with scores from Ignacio Mendy and Ignacio Ruiz, but they will be left to rue ill discipline from Lucio Cinti and Santiago Carreras in the closing stages which denied them the chance to chase victory.
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Australia had a try ruled out on 16 minutes when McReight went out of touch, but they did score four minutes later when Wilson beat two tacklers and touched down with Ryan Lonergan adding the extras.
Shortly afterwards, Franco Molina was yellow carded for Argentina and Australia extended their lead when Jorgensen found the line - but the home side responded with two tries in three minutes after Australia lock Jeremy Williams was sin-binned.
Firstly, Matera finished off a fine passage of play from close range and then Mendy scored following tremendous work from Joaquin Moro and Carreras slotted the conversion to level the scores at 14-14.
McReight restored Australia's lead seven minutes after half-time when he forced his way through three Argentina players only to see Ruiz dot down from close range eight minutes later as Argentina levelled up once more.
The home side finally took the lead when Matera scored his second try with 16 minutes to go, touching down between the posts after 23 phases of play.
But just five minutes later, Cinti was given a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on and Australia took advantage with a penalty try moments later.
A pass intended for Filipo Daugunu which would have resulted in a certain score was deliberately blocked by the outstretched hand of Carreras. He was sent to the sin bin, reducing Argentina to 13 men with 10 minutes to go.
Australia pushed for the victory in the closing stages, but couldn't get across the line and settled for a victory in the series if not on the night.
Wallabies take impressive summer form into South Africa Test
The Wallabies leave Argentina with their unbeaten record intact over the two-Test series, but captain Wilson - while complimentary of his side's achievements - was disappointed not to maintain their winning run ahead of a daunting next Test at home to world champions South Africa on September 27.
"In that last 10 minutes, they played the conditions really well, knowing they're a few men down. It's a bit slippery on the deck and they just tried to hold on to the ball for as long as they can," Wilson said.
"We've obviously had a few wins in a row and to get a draw tonight is not ideal.
"But to bring another trophy home, it hopefully brings a bit of momentum and some confidence in the group going to the Springboks."
Despite remaining realistic about his side's shortcomings, head coach Les Kiss shared his skipper's positivity after what has been an impressive summer for a reinvigorated Australia side who haven't lost any of their four Tests in 2026.
"Securing that trophy is definitely one of the things that we came here to do, without a doubt," Kiss said.
"Talking to the lads, very pleased that that part of the equation was on point.
"We probably took control of patches of that game and put ourselves in a good position to win it but as it is over here, it's tough. The boys are a little bit disappointed that they just didn't go on with it for sure.
"Mixed feelings in a way but there is something that we did come here to achieve and we got that. The rugby bit is trying to get some areas of our game a little bit better and a bit more robust and we've got things to work on for sure."
Watch the fourth and final Test between New Zealand and South Africa in Baltimore, USA, live on Sky Sports Action from 10pm next Saturday
