Penalty try drama seals series for Australia as Argentina hold on with 13 Men

By SABC Sport
6th September 2026

Despite being reduced to 13 men, Argentina dug deep to claim a 28-28 draw against Australia at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, but it was not enough to prevent the Wallabies from winning the Puma Trophy.

Australia won the two-Test series with a 27-21 victory in the first game a week earlier, and will be slightly disappointed they couldn't make it a series sweep after dominating large portions of the second Test.

Australia started strongly and raced into a 14-0 lead inside the first half-hour. Captain Harry Wilson powered over from close range in the 20th minute after sustained forward pressure before Argentina lock Franco Molina was then yellow-carded, and the Wallabies quickly capitalised when Max Jorgensen crossed in the 28th minute. Ryan Lonergan converted both tries.

The game swung dramatically when Australian lock Jeremy Williams was sin-binned, with Los Pumas pouncing on the opportunity. Captain Pablo Matera crashed over under the posts in the 36th minute, and winger Ignacio Mendy finished a slick lineout move just before the break. Santiago Carreras converted both, levelling the scores at 14-14.

The second half remained fiercely contested. Fraser McReight put Australia in front seven minutes after the restart by forcing his way through multiple defenders but hooker Ignacio Ruiz replied almost immediately from close range to make it 21-21.

Argentina then took the lead for the first time in the 64th minute when Matera scored his second try after a marathon 23-phase attack, with Carreras adding the extras for a 28-21 advantage.

The closing stages descended into chaos due to ill-discipline from the home side. With around 12 minutes remaining, centre Lucio Cinti was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, which was followed moments later by fullback Santiago Carreras receiving the same punishment for deliberately knocking the ball down to prevent a certain try by Filipo Daugunu, conceding a penalty try in the process. Argentina were reduced to 13 men for the final 10 minutes, and the scores were level at 28-28.

Despite the numerical advantage and late pressure, Australia could not find a winning score. Argentina's defence held firm against all odds, and the Pumas eventually kicked the ball out after the final hooter to secure the draw.