Australia faces Argentina in Mendoza on Saturday for the second match of their two-Test series, following a gritty 27-21 Wallabies victory in San Salvador de Jujuy. Coach Les Kiss has tinkered with his lineup, bringing in Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Ben Donaldson as Argentina makes four changes to square the series.
The Wallabies head to Mendoza with a chance to secure a historic series sweep on Argentine soil as part of a unique two-match tour organized after New Zealand and South Africa paused the Rugby Championship. Australia held off a late surge to win the first test 27-21 last Saturday at Estadio 23 de Agosto in San Salvador de Jujuy. That result extended a fiercely competitive back-and-forth between the two nations throughout the current World Cup cycle.
Wallabies Reshuffle Lineup and Hand Donaldson Rare Start
Looking to close out the tour, Wallabies coach Les Kiss has made notable adjustments to his starting XV. Carter Gordon has been shifted to the bench after managing an injury cloud during the week, clearing the way for Ben Donaldson to make his first start at fly-half in two years. In the midfield, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns to the starting side alongside Len Ikitau, marking the first time the pair start together under Kiss.
Tom Wright reaches a milestone by playing his 50th Test while named at fullback, while Ryan Lonergan retains his spot at scrum-half. Billy Pollard and Josh Nasser will share hooking duties, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa rotated out of the matchday squad. Filipo Daugunu earns his first start of the season on the wing, and Kalani Thomas joins the replacements as back-up scrum-half alongside prop Aidan Ross and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Los Pumas Alter Pack and Backs to Turn the Tide
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi responded to the opening loss with four changes to his pack and fresh faces in the backline. Locks Efraín Elías and Franco Molina enter the starting lineup in place of Tomás Lavanini and Guido Petti, with Petti shifting to the flank. Pedro Delgado replaces Francisco Moreno at tighthead prop, while Moreno drops down to the bench.
Behind the scrum, Benetton fly-half Nicolás Roger steps into the number 10 jersey outside scrum-half Simón Benítez Cruz. Santiago Carreras moves to fullback to cover for Gerónimo Prisciantelli. Uncapped players Facundo Cardozo and Mateo Soler stand ready to make their international debuts from the replacements bench. Pablo Matera continues as captain, earning his 126th cap in the absence of Julián Montoya.
Context of the 2026 Tour and Historical Rivalry
The unusual bilateral tour arose after South Africa and New Zealand withdrew from the 2026 Rugby Championship to stage their own old-school series billed as The Greatest Rugby Rivalry.
Unfazed by the scheduling shift, Australia aims to claim a first-ever series sweep in Argentina, having won opening matches on past tours in 2022 and 2024 only to drop the second fixtures.
The Wallabies’ performance last week was described as gritty, though the team faced challenges during the match.
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi has made several changes to the squad as they look to square the series in Mendoza.
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