Wallabies player ratings v Argentina: ‘Busy back row’ the standout in a draw hampered by ‘baby steps’ attack
Skipper Harry Wilson played a captain's part in the Wallabies draw overseen by Les Kiss, inset
Following the Wallabies 28-all draw with Los Pumas in Mendoza, here’s how we rated Les Kiss’ men in the fixture that still ended with them extending their unbeaten run to five matches and clinching a first-ever series win in Argentina.
Wallabies player ratings v Argentina
15 Tom Wright: His 50th Test appearance was besmirched by his shenanigans just before the interval. His handling error gave Argentina lineout ball they scored from and there was then a foolish penalised forearm altercation with Simon Cruz that could have cost another try. However, it was his two deliberately knocked-on passes that resulted in a pair of Puma yellow cards and the awarding of the game-levelling penalty try. 6
14 Max Jorgensen: Showed his threat with a well-finished 28th minute score, joining the line on the opposite side to exploit an Argentina defence that was a man down, but he was defensively exposed himself for the hosts’ second try. A quiet second half followed. 5
13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii: Restored to the starting line-up after last weekend’s bench role in San Salvador de Jujuy, his most important contribution was the knock-on that was deemed not deliberate to end the first half and prevent the concession of a third quick-fire try that would have left the Wallabies trailing having led 14-0. 5
12 Len Ikitau: Another midfielder restored by Kiss to the starting line-up, there was a brief example of his attacking nous when linking with Ben Donaldson early on, but Australia otherwise kept the handbrake on backline creativity. Still, it was a knocked-on pass to him that resulted in the Lucio Cinti yellow. 5
Two soft handling errors
11 Filipo Daugunu: Recalled in place of Harry Potter, his involvement began with two soft handling errors, including on kick-off receipt, and then a HIA absence after a juddering hit on Sanchez Valarolo. Had better second-half moments, namely a super 49th-minute penalty turnover win and then showing for the knocked-on pass that led to the score-levelling penalty try 11 minutes from time. 6
10 Ben Donaldson: A surprise first Test start in 2026, given how Carter Gordon had fared in the role in the series opener, his 15th-minute kick ahead helped to liven things up and he later gave the assist pass for the Jorgensen score. However, he didn’t quite push on from there and it was a fair call to sub him off 16 minutes into the second period with the score locked at 21-all. 6
9 Ryan Lonergan: His poorly judged ninth-minute kick, which went dead, summed up the collective dreary start to the match, and he followed it with the foot in touch that denied skipper Harry Wilson his 16th-minute try. Things could only get better, and they did for a while, but there were still second-half mistakes he can’t be happy with. 5
The forwards
8 Harry Wilson (c): Back at the wheel following last weekend’s absence, his go-forward in a busy back row was critical to the Wallabies. He clinically finished in the 20th minute after being denied just minutes earlier by a TMO review. His good hands were also evident in the second half, but it was his tackling that took precedence, his personal tally impressively rising into the 20s. 8
7 Fraser McReight: Got through an ample amount of grunt work to enable those around to shine. His chart-topping mid-20s illustrated this tackle count, but his productive night wasn’t only about mowing down Pumas. There was also his brilliantly finished 47th-minute try, capping an industrious contribution. 8
6 Rob Valetini: Swapped to the flank to accommodate Wilson’s return, he too was defensively on his game, revelling in the tackle in this bruising encounter, while he wasn’t immune to asking questions when on the ball. His best moments were winning a choke tackle possession turnover on 52 minutes, followed by the hold-up of a would-be Argentine try scorer over the line eight minutes later. 8
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5 Jeremy Williams: Had his struggles. It was his cynical off-feet infringement that resulted in the yellow card that instigated Argentina’s complexion-changing first-half fightback, with the Wallabies leaking two tries in his absence. 4
4 Josh Canham: Enjoyed an excellent start with a penalty turnover win just short of his own Wallabies try line. Went on to revel in his defensive duties while also offering front-foot encouragement with a series of short burst carries, including a punchy advance in the creation of his team’s third try. 7
3 Taniela Tupou: Part of an all-changed starting front row, a 19th-minute scrum penalty win was followed by giving the assist pass for the Wilson score. Also handled in the move for the Jorgensen follow-up, but his opening half ended with a few ropey scrums. Lasted 13 minutes of the second period before departing. 6
Flawed positioning
2 Billy Pollard: Came looking to build on last weekend’s second-half sub run and he instigated the lineout trickery that had Wilson in for his scrubbed-out try. Wasn’t shy in the tackle but won’t want to see his flawed positioning for the second Argentina try. Another who exited on 53 minutes. 5
1 Angus Bell: Another of the first Test bench who arrived to see out that 27-21 win, he went at it from the start here in this drawn encounter. He was held up over the line on 27 mins, but he carried regularly and efficiently, and his tackle count was in comfortably double figures by the time he was farewelled on 59 minutes. 7
Replacements: Front-rowers Josh Nasser and Massimo De Lutiis started by giving up a 53rd-minute scrum free to ignite the Argentine pressure for their third try. Gordon, who had a first-half HIA cover cameo, was sent on for good with 24 minutes remaining, but the step-up demanded in attack to produce a winning outcome didn’t materialise, highlighting how the collective Wallaby attack is still very much taking baby steps in the new Kiss era. 5