Valetini sparks 27-21 win in Jujuy but captaincy question shadows Wallabies
Australia edged Argentina 27-21 in San Salvador de Jujuy on Sunday as the Wallabies recorded their fourth straight victory, but debate over the captaincy intensified after fringe selections impressed. The match exposed persistent flaws in the squad even as Les Kiss's side secured a hard-fought win away from home.
Rob Valetini started at No 8 in place of captain Harry Wilson and produced a powerful display, while Fraser McReight’s showing gave coach Les Kiss further selection headaches. Valetini, who turns 28 this week, is described in the report as building towards his peak ahead of next year’s home World Cup. Kiss said after the match: “We weren’t perfect, neither were they,” and winger Max Jorgensen added: “It wasn’t near perfect, we’ve still got a lot of work to do, but to come away with a win in Argentina is very good.”
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii contributed in a 15-minute cameo, including one notable gallop and offload down the right while playing at outside centre, a deployment that frustrated those preferring him on the wing. The article also raised questions over where Angus Crichton, the other high-profile rugby league recruit due to come back to union next year, might fit into the backrow. Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau were singled out as proving Australia’s depth at No 12.
Scrutiny fell on kicking and service: finishing scrumhalf Tate McDermott had one kick charged down and another fail to find touch, while flyhalf Carter Gordon, who returned after a jarring facial injury, produced mixed moments and sent one late kick dead in goal when the Wallabies needed a surer hand. Kiss has rotated his pack heavily during the tour, aiming to build depth and refine execution.
That rotation delivered four lineout steals and set up Australia’s best try of the match via an unusual forward-chain, with Fraser McReight finding Jeremy Williams, Williams passing to Josh Canham, Canham returning it to Williams in a wrap-around and Brandon Paenga-Amosa completing the move with an aerial put down. The report noted the sequence occurred without the involvement of a single back.
Captaincy and leadership options were foregrounded by several performances: Harry Wilson’s past influence — having nearly led an uprising against the British and Irish Lions and scoring in victories over England and South Africa, and his decision in Townsville last year to pursue a try rather than a penalty goal — was contrasted with McReight, named man of the match against Los Pumas. Kiss appointed McReight captain of the Queensland Reds in January despite Wilson being in the playing group, and former Wallaby Tim Horan said on the Stan broadcast on Sunday: “It was interesting to see how animated Fraser McReight was in that second half,” adding, “I’m sure he’s very proud of his forward pack, but his leadership took another step today.”
Tom Hooper started at blindside and scored, with the 25-year-old’s Exeter Chiefs employment and selection to the Premiership team of the season this year noted alongside the detail he was the first Australian named there since Will Skelton in 2019; the report said that club situation means he is likely to miss the Wallabies’ September and October fixtures against South Africa and New Zealand. Hooper praised his backrow partners after the match: “As the lineout forward, I know that I’ve just got to get through a bit of work, and those guys can do the flashy stuff. Bobby can wreck blokes and Fraser’s usually sniffing around for a bit of meat, so it’s a good combination.”
Kiss warned changes would follow for the second Test in Mendoza this week and said: “Those options will narrow down as we get closer to the end of the year, but at this stage, I’m really happy with how the forward pack have bought into what we’re trying to achieve.” The Wallabies have suffered heavy defeats in previous second tests in Argentina, including a 67-27 loss two years ago, and Kiss has flagged Harry Wilson’s return for the Mendoza Test, leaving the match as an immediate chance for the captain to reclaim his place.