Argentina vs Australia 2026: Los Pumas vs a Wallabies Side Flying After Japan Series
Jujuy — 29 August 2026 | Mendoza — 5 September 2026
The Wallabies arrive in Argentina after crushing Japan 56-17. Los Pumas nearly beat the Springboks 17-10 two weeks ago. This series is wide open.
UPDATE — August 2026: The context for Argentina vs Australia has changed significantly since this preview was written. Les Kiss’s Wallabies swept Japan 2-0, recovering from a nervy 35-32 first-test win in Osaka to demolish Eddie Jones’ side 56-17 in Townsville — eight tries, 35 unanswered second-half points, a performance that announced Australia as genuine contenders for the Puma Trophy. Meanwhile, Argentina came within a post’s width of beating the world champion Springboks on 8 August — a penalty struck the upright with Los Pumas leading 13-10 before South Africa won 17-10. The Wallabies who land in Jujuy on 29 August will be a team in form. So will Argentina. See our full Wallabies 56-17 Japan match report and our All Blacks vs Springboks preview for full context on both squads heading into this window.
Argentina vs Australia 2026 is the fixture that decides who holds the Puma Trophy — and almost nobody outside Argentine rugby circles knows that Los Pumas arrive as the defending champions. Two tests in Jujuy (August 29) and Mendoza (September 5) complete Argentina’s home Nations Championship window before the November tour of Europe. For the Wallabies, this is the first real test of what Les Kiss is building. For Argentina, it is a chance to prove that the squad depth Contepomi has been developing can compete without the first-choice names.
The Puma Trophy — What’s at Stake
The Puma Trophy is the bilateral trophy contested between Argentina and Australia whenever the two nations meet. According to World Rugby, the Nations Championship represents the most significant restructure of the international calendar in over a decade. Argentina have held it since 2023, winning it on Australian soil in a result that announced a new competitive reality in southern hemisphere rugby. The Wallabies want it back. Los Pumas want to prove it wasn’t a fluke.
For a trophy that doesn’t get the attention of the Bledisloe Cup or the Rugby Championship, the Puma Trophy has a habit of producing matches that matter more than expected. Argentina beating Australia in Australia was one of the results that defined the modern Los Pumas era — the kind of win that changes how a generation of players sees themselves.
Argentina vs Australia 2026: Les Kiss and the New Wallabies
Australia arrive in Argentina under new management. Les Kiss replaced Joe Schmidt after the 2025 season and has been clear about his intentions: evolution rather than revolution, but with a renewed emphasis on Australian attacking flair that the Schmidt era sometimes suppressed.
Kiss wants the Wallabies to “fight for every inch” defensively while unleashing the natural creativity that Australian backs carry. His background is in defence — he shaped Ireland’s defensive system under Joe Schmidt at Leinster and with the national team — but his stated ambition is to make defence a platform for attack rather than an end in itself.
The Argentina tour is Kiss’s second assignment after a July home window against Ireland, France and Italy. The Wallabies arrive in Jujuy with a clearer identity than they had six months ago but still building the combinations and patterns that a new coach requires time to implement.
Argentina’s Squad Reality
Los Pumas arrive at this series carrying the same squad that faces South Africa on August 8 — the same absences, the same uncapped players, the same Matera captaincy in place of Montoya. Ten players with no international experience. Key names unavailable through injury or club preseason commitments.
Against Australia, that squad reality looks different than it does against the Springboks. The Wallabies are a dangerous, improving team under a new coach — but they are not the world champions. This is a series Argentina can win with the squad they have available.
The two venues reinforce that point. Jujuy gives Los Pumas an altitude advantage — 1,200 metres above sea level — that visiting teams consistently underestimate. Mendoza has been a fortress for Argentina in recent years. If Contepomi’s developing players are going to prove themselves in the Nations Championship window, these are the conditions in which to do it.
Argentina vs Australia 2026 — Probable XVs
Argentina:
15 Santiago Carreras 14 Rodrigo Isgró 13 Lucio Cinti 12 Matías Moroni 11 Ignacio Mendy 10 Gerónimo Prisciantelli 9 Simón Benítez Cruz 8 Joaquín Moro 7 Benjamín Grondona 6 Pablo Matera (c) 5 Guido Petti 4 Efraín Elías 3 Tomás Rapetti 2 Ignacio Ruiz 1 Mayco Vivas
Australia:
15 Andrew Kellaway 14 Filipo Daugunu 13 Len Ikitau 12 Hunter Paisami 11 Marika Koroibete 10 Noah Lolesio 9 Tate McDermott 8 Rob Valetini 7 Fraser McReight 6 Charlie Cale 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 4 Nick Frost 3 Taniela Tupou 2 Dave Porecki 1 James Slipper
Where to Watch Argentina vs Australia 2026
In the UK, Sky Sports carries the Nations Championship — both Argentina vs Australia 2026 tests will be broadcast live. In Australia, Stan Sport has the rights to the Wallabies home and away schedule.
For the full Argentina Nations Championship schedule including November fixtures against Ireland, France and Italy, see our Nations Championship 2026 schedule. For context on how this Argentina squad has been built and who the key players are heading into 2027, read our Argentina rugby players 2026 World Cup guide.
