Argentina’s Pumas will roll into Australia with belief and momentum, carrying the weight of history and expectation after splitting their home series against the All Blacks in the opening rounds of The Rugby Championship.
A 41-24 defeat in Córdoba had threatened to cast a familiar shadow, but Felipe Contepomi’s side responded in the best way possible. The 29-23 victory at Vélez Sarsfield was not just a win—it was the win: Los Pumas’ first-ever triumph over New Zealand on Argentine soil. For a squad still piecing together its identity under Contepomi, it was a statement that Argentina is no longer content with occasional upsets. They want consistency.
That pursuit continues over the next two weeks in Australia, where Los Pumas face the Wallabies on September 6 in Townsville and again on September 13 in Sydney. Both fixtures arrive at a pivotal time in the tournament, with Argentina seeking to back up their breakthrough performance at home with results abroad.
The Pumas know the challenge well. Their last trip to Townsville ended in a 27-8 defeat in 2021, a night remembered more for the debuts of Mateo Carreras, Joaquín Oviedo and Rodrigo Martínez Manzano than for the scoreline. Sydney, however, has been kinder. In 2023, Los Pumas edged Australia 34-31 at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium, a result that underscored their ability to win tight contests away from home. This year’s Sydney clash shifts to Allianz Stadium, where Contepomi’s group will again test themselves against a Wallabies outfit in transition.
Argentina’s recent history against Australia offers both encouragement and caution. Last year’s encounters in Argentina produced a one-point Wallaby win in La Plata, followed by a resounding 67-27 Argentine victory in Santa Fe. Those matches highlighted Los Pumas’ ability to punish defensive lapses but also exposed their inconsistency from week to week. Contepomi’s task is to close that gap.
“We closed the year at home with a great win against the All Blacks in Buenos Aires, which gives us a lot of energy for the challenging tour that lies ahead,” Contepomi said. “It is important that in the next five weeks away from home, we can continue to build as a team and grow day by day. We are very grateful for the support received during these weeks in Argentina, and we are sure that we will find many fans cheering in Australia.”
That support matters. For a team that thrives on emotion and momentum, the Pumas’ following abroad often provides the extra push needed in the tightest contests. It will need to, because Australia remains a formidable opponent, even in flux.
Los Pumas enter this tour with 13 all-time victories in The Rugby Championship—five against Australia and four each against New Zealand and South Africa. With a balanced squad blending experienced names such as Pablo Matera, Julián Montoya and Marcos Kremer alongside young talents like Santiago Chocobares and Rodrigo Isgró, Contepomi has options across the park.
The mission now is clear: prove that beating New Zealand at home wasn’t the peak, but the platform.
Los Pumas Squad To Face Wallabies Forwards
Ignacio Calles, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Juan Martín González, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Franco Molina, Julián Montoya, Joaquín Oviedo, Lucas Paulos, Guido Petti, Thomas Rapetti, Pedro Rubiolo, Ignacio Ruiz, Joel Sclavi, Mayco Vivas, Boris Wenger
Backs
Simón Benítez Cruz, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Santiago Chocobares, Lucio Cinti, Bautista Delguy, Benjamin Elizalde, Gonzalo García, Rodrigo Isgró, Juan Cruz Mallía, Ignacio Mendy, Agustín Moyano, Justo Piccardo, Gerónimo Prisciantelli, Nicholas Roger
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