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Argentina play host to Australia in San Salvador de Jujuy on Saturday. The fixture is the first of two home test matches for Los Pumas against the Wallabies. The tour came about as a result of the 2026 Rugby Championship being cancelled.
The fixture is the fifth between the teams during the Rugby World Cup 2023-2027 cycle. Both teams have been rebuilding since France 2023 and have the opportunity of continuing to do so in the two upcoming test matches in Jujuy and Mendoza.
Since taking over as head coach in 2024, Felipe Contepomi has transformed Los Pumas into a thrilling, high-scoring powerhouse that is actively expanding its roster depth ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Under the leadership of captain Julián Montoya and veterans like Pablo Matera, the team achieved a historic milestone in the 2024 Rugby Championship by defeating New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa all in the same calendar year for the first time ever.
Following a transitional period directed by Joe Schmidt through mid-2026, the Wallabies have entered a brand new era under head coach Les Kiss. The era began Kiss with back-to-back victories over Japan earlier this month. Currently, in August 2026, Allan Alaalatoa is leading a squad featuring dynamic young talent like wingers Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen, alongside high-profile cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
The reason as to why there is no Rugby Championship in 2026 comes down to decision making from New Zealand and South Africa to go it alone. South Africa and New Zealand decided to break away from the four country alliance to contest “The Greatest Rugby Rivalry” in 2026. The outcome is that the Rugby Championship will be biennial rather than an annual after 2025 and that the next normal Rugby Championship will next be in 2029.
| FORM GUIDE |
Current World Ranking: 7 (83.13 points)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 4, 2026 | Scotland | Loss | 38–47 | Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes (Córdoba) |
| July 11, 2026 | Wales | Win | 35–21 | Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario (San Juan) |
| July 18, 2026 | England | Loss | 24–31 | Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades (Santiago del Estero) |
| August 8, 2026 | South Africa | Loss | 10–17 | Estadio José Amalfitani (Buenos Aires) |
Current World Ranking: 8 (82.67 points)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 4, 2026 | Ireland | Loss | 31 – 33 | Allianz Stadium (Sydney) |
| July 11, 2026 | France | Loss | 26 – 42 | Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) |
| July 18, 2026 | Italy | Win | 57 – 10 | HBF Park (Perth) |
| August 8, 2026 | Japan | Win | 35 – 32 | Hanazono Rugby Stadium (Osaka) |
| August 15, 2026 | Japan | Win | 56 – 17 | Queensland Country Bank Stadium (Townsville) |
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
|
UNCHANGED | |
|
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Isaac Kailea | Angus Bell |
| 2 | Brandon Paenga-Amosa | Josh Nasser |
| 3 | Allan Alaalatoa | Taniela Tupou |
| 4 | Josh Canham | Lachlan Shaw |
| 5 | Jeremy Williams | Lukhan Salakaia-Loto |
| 6 | Tom Hooper | Charlie Cale |
| 7 | Fraser McReight | Carlo Tizzano |
| 8 | Harry Wilson | Rob Valetini |
+ MOST CAPS |
– P Matera (125), G Petti (102), M Moroni (98), T Lavanini (92), S Carreras (68), L Cinti (43), I Ruiz (31).
– A Alaalatoa (92), R Valetini (66), A Bell (55), T McDermott (55), T Wright (48), F McReight (44), H Paisami (37), J Williams (30).
| LEAST CAPS |
– F Moreno (1), L Oviedo (1), J Penoucos (1), B Grondona (3), R Martínez (3), N Roger (3), F Sánchez Valarolo (3), E Elías (4), G Prisciantelli (5), I Mendy (6), J Moro (6), T Rapetti (7), B Wenger (9), A Moyano (10).
– M de Lutiis (1), I Henry (2), L Shaw (3), C Cale (4), J Canham (6), I Kailea (8), R Lonergan (10), C Gordon (11), H Potter (14).
| + NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Thomas Gallo (LH), Bautista Bernasconi (HK), Julián Montoya (HK), Eduardo Bello (TH), Joel Sclavi (TH), Franco Molina (LO), Matías Alemanno (LO), Pedro Rubiolo (LO), Juan Martín González (FL), Santiago Grondona (FL), Marcos Kremer (FL), Joaquin Oviedo (NO. 8), Gonzalo García (SH), Tomás Albornoz (FH), Santiago Chocobares (CE), Justo Piccardo (CE), Mateo Carreras (WI), Bautista Delguy (WI), Benjamín Elizalde (FB), Juan Cruz Mallía (FB)
– Tom Roberston (LH), ane Nongorr (TH), Will Skelton (LO), Harry Wilson (NO. 8), Jake Gordon (SH), Dylan Pietsch (WI)
| NOTES |
- The match is the first of a two match series.
- The Wallabies are on a three match winning-streak.
- Australia are unbeaten under new head coach Les Kiss. The Wallabies defeated Japan 35-32 in Osaka, Japan and 56-17 in Townsville, Australia.
- Los Pumas are unbeaten in Jujuy. Argentina won 45-29 vs Georgia in 2017 and 45-29 vs Scotland in 2022.
- Pablo Matera, Matías Moroni, and Guido Petti all played in both wins in Jujuy.
- Argentina won the most recent match between the teams 28-26 in Sydney in 2026.
- Felipe Contepomi has retained the starting XV that faced South Africa in Buenos Aires. The replacements feature alterations with three backs rather than two.
- Replacements Rodrigo Martínez and Nicolás Roger will earn their first caps in 2026. Martínez last played for Argentina in 2021 under Mario Ledesma.
- Tight Head Francisco Moreno secured his playing future in England earlier this week.
- Felipe Contepomi has gone for Juan Penoucos who played in Super Rugby Americas for Pampas as his replacement back-rower ahead of Stade Français’ Juan Martín Scelzo. Both men debuted against South Africa in Buenos Aires.
- Former Western Force second-rower, Franco Molina misses out. Agustín Moyano and Leonel Oviedo are both on the bench.
- Pablo Matera captains Los Pumas for the 19th time.
- Allan Alaalatoa captains the Wallabies for the 7th time. Fellow starting prop, Isaac Kailea will play his first test match since 2024.
- Les Kiss has entirely changed his forwards. None who started in Townsville vs Japan will start in Jujuy. In contrast, the same backs that started for the Wallabies in Townsville will start in Jujuy.
- Tom Wright will earn his 49th cap for the Wallabies while Matías Moroni will earn his 99th for Los Pumas.
| PREDICTION |
Under Felipe Contepomi and Les Kiss, both Argentina and Australia have transformed into high-tempo, progressive attacking sides that balance raw power with clinical execution. Contepomi has evolved Los Pumas into an expansive and tactically disciplined team, blending their traditional forward physicality with sharp passing and clever kicking combinations that feed their explosive outside backs. Meanwhile, Kiss has implemented a style for the Wallabies that focuses on direct, punishing carries over the gainline to build a strong platform, while simultaneously encouraging wide flair and controlled ambition to limit costly unforced errors. Given the availability, Australia are favorites to win in Jujuy.
| LINE-UPS |
ARGENTINA
1 Boris Wenger, 2 Ignacio Ruiz, 3 Francisco Moreno, 4 Guido Petti (vice-capt.), 5 Tomás Lavanini, 6 Pablo Matera (capt.), 7 Benjamín Grondona, 8 Joaquín Moro, 9 Simón Benítez Cruz, 10 Santiago Carreras (vice-capt.), 11 Ignacio Mendy, 12 Faustino Sánchez Valarolo, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Rodrigo Isgró, 15 Gerónimo Prisciantelli
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Rodrigo Martínez, 18 Tomás Rapetti, 19 Efraín Elías, 20 Juan Penoucos, 21 Agustín Moyano, 22 Nicolás Roger, 23 Matías Moroni
AUSTRALIA
1 Isaac Kailea, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (capt.), 4 Josh Canham, 5 Jeremy Williams, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Rob Valetini, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 10 Carter Gordon, 11 Harry Potter, 12 Hunter Paisami, 13 Isaac Henry, 14 Max Jorgensen, 15 Tom Wright
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo de Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Charlie Cale, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, August 27
Kickoff: 4:00pm Saturday (Buenos Aires), 5:00am Sunday (Sydney).
Venue: Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy (AR)
Broadcasts: ESPN, Disney + (AR), Nine Network, Stan Sport (AU)
Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy; 19°C; Wind 3 km/h
| MATCH OFFICIALS |
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Television Match Official: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
Split Screen/FPRO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
| HISTORY vs (1979-2026) |
2025/09/13 – Australia 26-28 Argentina (Sydney, AU)
2025/09/06 – Australia 28-24 Argentina (Townsville, AU)
2024/09/07 – Argentina 67-27 Australia (Santa Fe, AR)
2024/08/31 – Argentina 19-20 Australia (La Plata, AR)
2023/07/15 – Australia 31-34 Argentina (Sydney, AU)
2022/08/13 – Argentina 48-17 Australia (San Juan, AR)
2022/08/06 – Argentina 26-41 Australia (Mendoza, AR)
2021/10/02 – Australia 32-17 Argentina (Gold Coast, AU)
2021/09/25 – Australia 27-08 Argentina (Townsville, AU)
2020/12/05 – Australia 16-16 Argentina (Sydney, AU)
2020/11/21 – Australia 15-15 Argentina (Newcastle, AU)
2019/07/27 – Australia 19-10 Argentina (Brisbane, AU)
2018/10/06 – Argentina 34-45 Australia (Salta, AR)
2018/09/15 – Australia 19-23 Argentina (Gold Coast, AU)
2017/10/07 – Argentina 20-37 Australia (Mendoza, AR)
2017/09/16 – Australia 45-20 Argentina (Canberra, AU)
2016/10/08 – Argentina 21-33 Australia (London, UK)
2016/09/17 – Australia 36-20 Argentina (Perth, AU)
2015/10/25 – Australia 29-15 Argentina (London, UK)
2015/07/25 – Argentina 9-34 Australia (Mendoza, AR)
2014/10/04 – Argentina 21-17 Australia (Mendoza, AR)
2014/09/13 – Australia 32-25 Argentina (Gold Coast, AU)
2013/10/05 – Argentina 17-54 Australia (Rosario, AR)
2013/09/14 – Australia 14-13 Argentina (Perth, AU)
2012/10/06 – Argentina 19-25 Australia (Rosario, AR)
2012/09/15 – Australia 23-19 Argentina (Gold Coast, AU)
2003/10/10 – Australia 24-8 Argentina (Sydney, AU)
2002/11/02 – Argentina 06-17 Australia (Buenos Aires, AR)
2000/06/24 – Australia 32-25 Argentina (Canberra, AU)
2000/06/17 – Australia 53-06 Argentina (Brisbane, AU)
1983/11/08 – Argentina 18-16 Australia (Buenos Aires, AR)
1997/11/01 – Argentina 15-23 Australia (Buenos Aires, AR)
1995/05/06 – Australia 30-13 Argentina (Sydney, AU)
1995/04/30 – Australia 53-07 Argentina (Brisbane, AU)
1991/10/04 – Australia 32-19 Argentina (Llanelli, UK)
1987/11/07 – Argentina 27-19 Australia (Buenos Aires, AR)
1987/10/31 – Argentina 19-19 Australia (Buenos Aires, AR)
1986/07/12 – Australia 26-0 Argentina (Sydney, AU)
1986/07/06 – Australia 39-19 Argentina (Brisbane, AU)
1983/08/07 – Australia 29-13 Argentina (Sydney, AU)
1983/07/31 – Australia 03-18 Argentina (Brisbane, AU)
1979/11/03 – Argentina 12-27 Australia (Buenos Aires (AR)
1979/10/27 – Argentina 24-13 Australia (Buenos Aires, AR)
| HEAD TO HEAD VS |
Australia Wins 30
Argentina Wins 10
Draws 3
