Rugby Tours 2026: Argentina host Australia in Mendoza Game 2

Argentina will host Australia in Mendoza on Saturday, September 5, in the second match of their two-Test series. Australia lead 1-0 after winning the opening test 27-21 in San Salvador de Jujuy last weekend.

The Wallabies can complete their first series sweep on Argentine soil with another victory. Their previous tours in 2022 and 2024 both began with an Australian win before Argentina recovered to take the second match.

The series is being played after New Zealand and South Africa withdrew from the 2026 Rugby Championship to face each other in their own series. Argentina and Australia have instead continued a closely contested rivalry during the current Rugby World Cup cycle.

Recent meetings underline the narrow margins between the sides. Argentina won 34-31 in Sydney in 2023, while Australia took a 20-19 result in La Plata the following year before losing 67-27 in Santa Fe. In 2025, Australia won 28-24 in Townsville and Argentina answered with a 28-26 victory in Sydney. The Wallabies also won 41-26 in Mendoza in 2022, although Argentina responded with a 48-17 success in San Juan one week later.

Felipe Contepomi has named Pablo Matera as Argentina captain, with Guido Petti and Santiago Carreras also serving as vice-captains. Boris Wenger starts at loosehead prop, while Nicolás Roger takes the fly-half position and Santiago Carreras is selected at full-back. Mateo Soler is among the replacements.

Australia will be led by Harry Wilson from number eight. Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and Ryan Lonergan are also in the starting XV, while Carter Gordon and Issac Henry are included among the replacements. The match begins at 6pm in Argentina, which is 7am on Sunday, September 6, in Australia.