Match News and Current Form
Argentina continues to deal with high profile overseas-based absences, making last weekend’s effort all the more commendable despite ultimately losing as favourites. Perhaps the bookies overestimated them a tad after they kept the Springboks to below 20 points earlier in the month, before grinding out what was a fifth defeat in six matches. Argentina have been left to lament lacking just a bit of polish at key moments, and with seven of their eight losses since the start of September 2025 coming with single-digit margins, they continue to not be far off some of rugby’s best national teams.
Felipe Contepomi has made six changes to his starting XV - four in the forwards and two in the backs. Santiago Carreras is replacing Gerónimo Prisciantelli at fullback, with Nicolás Roger slotting into the number ten slot in place of Carreras. Argentina’s other vice-captain, Guido Petti, moves to flanker from the second row.
Seventh place in the World Rugby rankings will probably be the last thing on Australia's mind as they continue to build momentum ahead of next year's defining home World Cup campaign. One of the best short-term statements the Wallabies can make is to sweep a tour of Argentina for the first time in their history, having won the opening games of 2022 and 2024 only to lose the second.
They're now on their longest winning streak of this World Cup cycle (W4), three of them under new coach Les Kiss, but with all four wins against nations currently ranked beneath there'll be plenty of work left to do to ensure they can be competitive later this year against New Zealand and South Africa. For now, Kiss has looked to some new centres and front row combinations, bringing back some of his strongest forwards such as captain Harry Wilson, Taniela Tupou and Angus Bell. Len Ikitau returns from injury to join the exciting Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, whilst Filipo Daugunu replaces Harry Potter on the left wing.
Head-to-Head History
Last weekend's result continued a long run of thrilling H2Hs in which five of the last six meetings were decided by a margin of under seven points. The two sides split those six matches three apiece. Prior to that, the previous meeting in Mendoza (2022) saw Australia come from behind to win 41-26.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Argentina covered the main betting spread in only one of their last five matches.
Argentina lost six of their last seven games as a betting outsider.
Australia covered the major spread in five of their last seven games.
Australia won the race to ten points in five of their six matches this year.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Winger Ignacio Mendy returns to the Pumas starting side with a record of scoring a try in five of his last 11 starting appearances for Benetton. Aussie back rower Fraser McReight is in outstanding scoring form for his country, dotting down in his last three international starts (v Argentina, Japan and France).
Matías Moroni was last week added to a Pumas injury list that includes Juan Martín González, Thomas Gallo and Juan Cruz Mallía, whilst Australia remains without Jake Gordon.
Click here to see the matchday squads for both teams.
Betting Analysis
Australia's matches are averaging 64.5 total points per game this year, so it might not take much more for this one to clear over 54.5 total points.