Pumas host Wallabies in Mendoza as Argentina bid to level rugby series
Argentina and Australia meet in the second Test of their two-match rugby series in Mendoza on Saturday, with Los Pumas needing a win to draw level after last week's defeat in Jujuy. Both sides have made sweeping team changes.
Series on the line after Australia's opening win
Argentina's Los Pumas face Australia's Wallabies on Saturday, September 5, at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza in the second of two Tests. Australia won the first match 27-21 in San Salvador de Jujuy last weekend, meaning the hosts must win to square the series. The defeat dropped Argentina to eighth in the World Rugby rankings, according to Rugbypass, marking a third straight loss for the side.
The match also doubles as Los Pumas' final home appearance of the year — after this Test the squad will not play again until November, when it travels to Europe for the Nations Championship Northern Series and Finals, according to Super Rugby. Sources differ on the trophy at stake: the Guardian refers to the "Puma Trophy", while Super Rugby calls it the "Visa Galicia" Cup.
Sweeping changes on both sides
Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made four changes to his starting XV. Santiago Carreras reverts to fullback, while Nicolás Roger takes over at fly-half for only his second Test start in that position. Efraín Elías and Franco Molina form a new lock pairing, and vice-captain Guido Petti shifts to flanker. Pablo Matera continues as captain. Two uncapped players — flanker Facundo Cardozo and outside back Mateo Soler, son of former Argentina winger Facundo Soler (25 caps) — have been named among the replacements.
Australia coach Les Kiss has made nine changes from the side that won in Jujuy. Fullback Tom Wright earns his 50th cap, Harry Wilson returns as captain at No. 8, and Ben Donaldson starts at fly-half for the first time since 2024. Halfback Tate McDermott and back-rower Tom Hooper are absent through injury, while playmaker Carter Gordon has been dropped to the bench.
History favours the hosts
Australia has never won both matches of a tour in Argentina — in 2024, a 20-19 win in the series opener (played in Buenos Aires according to the Guardian and Rugbypass, though Nine.com.au places it in La Plata) was followed by a heavy 27-67 loss in the second Test. In Mendoza specifically, Los Pumas have won only once in the last five meetings between the sides, according to Super Rugby figures. Conditions at kick-off were cold, around four degrees Celsius, and the Guardian noted the stadium was not full.
