Wallabies show steel in mountain Test battle

The Wallabies have maintained their winning run under coach Les Kiss, hanging tough against Argentina to post a 27-21 victory.

Playing in the mountain town of San Salvador de Jujuy, the Australians scored four tries to two to earn a gritty victory in the first of two Tests in Argentina.

After opening his Test coaching tenure with successive victories over Japan, the clash with the world No.7 Pumas was expected to be the first big battle for Kiss's men.

The hosts were missing some key players while the Wallabies also had some new faces in the starting forward pack, with skipper Harry Wilson among the players rested.

His replacement at No.8, Rob Valetini, was a stand-out, putting the visitors on the front foot with some big carries while lock Josh Canham was also among the side's best.

The Wallabies led 22-14 at halftime, with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Carter Gordon and Fraser McReight all crossing the line.

Tries by fullback Geronimo Prisciantelli and Joaquin Moro kept Argentina in the hunt, with the No.8 taking a quick tap from a short-arm free kick to split the defence.

A penalty strike by Ryan Lonergan after halftime secured the eight-point lead.

The halfback was an early casualty in the second half, injured while making a try-saving tackle, with Tate McDermott entering the fray.

The margin was then reduced to one point in the 52nd minute with Pumas prop Boris Wegner burrowing over.

The visitors were able to kick away with an impressive team try three minutes later, with flanker Tom Hooper collecting the five-pointer.

It looked like they would have some breathing room in the final 10 minutes but a try by Jeremy Williams was denied upon review, and then McDermott was held up over the line to set up a nerve-wracking finale.

The desperate Pumas did their best to find another try but the scrambling Wallabies defence managed to hold them out to secure an important win away from home.