Kiss steers Wallabies to four straight wins with hard-fought 27-21 victory over Argentina

Australia claimed a 27-21 victory over Argentina at Estadio 23 de Agosto on Saturday, extending their winning run to four consecutive Tests under head coach Les Kiss — the first time the Wallabies have strung together that many wins in a single calendar year since 2021.

The result was particularly significant given the context. It was Australia’s first return to Argentina since a humbling 67-27 defeat on the same ground in September 2024, and Los Pumas remain one of the most difficult sides to beat at home. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Carter Gordon crossed for early tries, and Tom Hooper added what proved to be the final score with 20 minutes remaining, as the Wallabies’ defence held firm through a testing closing spell to secure the six-point margin.

Kiss was quick to credit the team’s mental composure under pressure. “They’re a dangerous side. At times, they put us under pressure, we had to find connection, we had to find a way to make sure we could absorb it but still stay in the right mindset,” he told reporters after the match.

“Talking to [Allan Alaalatoa] and Fraser [McReight] afterwards… there was a certain strong calmness. We didn’t let the pressure get on top of us and weigh us down. Being able to stay in front of those things and in front of those little errors in that game that offered them opportunities, I think is testament to the boys’ character for sure.”

The winning run has come during a period of coaching transition. Joe Schmidt’s final match in charge was a win over Italy in Perth during the Nations Championship, before Kiss took the reins. His tenure began with a 35-32 thriller against Japan in Osaka, followed by a more commanding 56-17 victory over the Brave Blossoms in Townsville — in which Taniela Tupou scored twice — and now this win in Buenos Aires.

The Wallabies had opened the 2026 Nations Championship with back-to-back defeats to Ireland and France in Sydney and Brisbane respectively, making the subsequent four-match unbeaten run all the more notable as a marker of progress.

With the 2027 Rugby World Cup set to kick off on home soil — Australia face Hong Kong China in Perth on 1 October 2027 — the momentum Kiss is building carries obvious long-term significance.